STORY: South Africa's radical left Economic Freedom Fighters said on Friday (June 7) that they will not form part of any government with rival opposition party, the Democratic Alliance.

That's after the African National Congress looked to build a government of "national unity" after losing its parliamentary majority for the first time in South Africa's democratic era.

EFF deputy president, Floyd Shivambu:

"We are not going to form part of any government with the Democratic Alliance, we are not going to sit alongside the Democratic Alliance and Freedom Front Plus in government as the Economic Freedom Fighters."

The ANC remains the biggest party but cannot govern alone.

On Thursday (June 6), President Cyril Ramaphosa said it had been decided that broad collaboration was the best way forward for the country.

"This moment also calls for multi-party cooperation and multi-stake holder collaboration if we are to overcome the severe challenges that confront our country."

Ramaphosa said the ANC had already held constructive discussions with the EFF and DA, as well as with the smaller Inkatha Freedom Party, the National Freedom Party and the Patriotic Alliance.

However, the DA and the EFF are miles apart on the political spectrum.

The Marxist EFF advocates nationalizing mines and banks, and land seizures.

The pro-business DA, the largest opposition party, wants to dismantle some of the ANC's Black empowerment policies.

It's also seen as a party of white privilege, which it denies.

For its part, the DA has previously said an ANC coalition with the EFF or former president Jacob Zuma's MK Party would be a "doomsday scenario" that would tank the economy.

On Friday the DA said it was open to talks and "committed to the process".

However, spokesperson Werner Horn said the "broad invitation to all parties... has undoubtedly complicated matters."

Zuma's MK said it expected to meet with the ANC soon.