Once the final results from the general election are declared, which is due tomorrow, the new parliament convenes within two weeks.
Normally, that is also when a new president is chosen.
If no agreement has been reached within a month, a fresh general election is called.
So gone are the days when the ANC uses its parliamentary majority to elect the president.
As only 40% of the new MPs will be from the ANC, it will need the votes of MPs from other parties.
So the choice of a president will be a crucial part of talks aimed at forming a coalition government.
A key question is whether the ANC can find 50% of MPs to support Cyril Ramaphosa staying on as president.