Game of Thrones is what you would call the situation in South Africa

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For years, it was an intense two-way race between the then New National Party (NNP) – later the DA – and the ANC. But it was the NNP that surprised friend and foe alike at the first democratic elections, held on April 27,1994, by winning a clear majority.

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The late Hernus Kriel was the first NNP premier of the Western Cape from May 11, 1994 to May 11, 1998. In 1999, the NNP only got 39% of the vote but after forming an alliance with the Democratic Party, it kept the ANC out of power in the province.

After his departure, the hot seat was filled by Gerald Morkel. In 2001, the NNP alliance with the DA collapsed and it sought a partnership with the ANC. 

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Allegations against Morkel of improper conduct with convicted fraudster Jurgen Harksen led to his political demise. He served on the City of Cape Town Council for the DA until his retirement in 2011. 

Peter Marais became the third premier from 2000 until 2002. His stint ended on June 3, 2002, after allegations of sexual harassment of which he was ultimately exonerated. 

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The party was in turmoil and NNP leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk was sworn in as the third premier in seven months. He served as premier from June 21, 2002 to April 28, 2004. After the collapse of the NNP on April 9, 2005, he was appointed minister of environmental affairs and tourism in the Thabo Mbeki administration after the party was absorbed into the ANC.

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