With only hours left before South Africa's parliament convenes for the first time since the ruling African National Congress (ANC) lost seats in last month's election, negotiations to form a new government still continue.
The ANC said it had made a “breakthrough” in forming a national unity government but that it was too early to reveal details.
Solly Malatsi, spokesman for the main opposition Democratic Alliance, told the BBC that “main aspects” of the framework agreement had been finalized but “we are not there yet.”
One of parliament's first tasks is expected to be a secret vote on whether Cyril Ramaphosa remains president.
Mr Ramaphosa is expected to be re-elected, although coalition talks have not yet been concluded.
The ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years in the May 29 election, winning 40% of the vote.
This means Mr Ramaphosa will need support from other parties to remain in power.
“We are talking to political parties as we speak,” ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula told reporters after a meeting of the party’s highest level on Thursday evening, but added that he could not give further details.
He said this would be a move to the political centre, as the breakaway ANC parties on the left had indicated they would not join the coalition.
He said political parties, including the pro-business DA, had agreed to form a national unity government.
But the ANC and DA have not agreed on exactly how they will work together, Mbalula added.
“If the DA gets some of what it wants, it means the death of the ANC,” he said.
The DA came in second place in this election with 22% of the vote.
DA spokesman Malatsi told the BBC's Newsday programme: “There are still very important outstanding issues that should have been finalized by yesterday (Thursday), which we did not because of the nature of the negotiations.” Come back in.”
The Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has already said it will participate in a national unity government. It ranked 5th with 4% of the votes.
President Ramaphosa has previously accused the DA, which is mainly supported by ethnic minorities, of being 'treasonous' and 'reactionary'.
A deal with the DA would be unpopular among many ANC activists.
The party advocates a free market economy that runs counter to the ANC's left-wing traditions and is seen by critics as representing the interests of the white minority.
The ANC claimed a coalition government called the Government of National Unity (GNU), but was divided between the third and fourth largest parties, former President Jacob Zuma's Umkhonto Wisizwe (MK) party and Julius Malema's party. It failed to secure the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). To join it.
