The Multi-Party Charter for South Africa said if they came to power, they would work together and allocate ministerial positions and parliamentary seats.

They are also seeking to keep Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party from being voted into power.

The agreement, initiated by the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party, comes as the country battles an ailing economy, corruption, crime, unemployment and an unprecedented energy crisis.

The other signatories are the Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, ActionSA, United Independent Movement, Independent SA National Civic Organisation (Isanco) and the Spectrum National Party.

The new coalition says it will extend invitations to other parties in due course.

Analysts say the ANC risks losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since South Africa's return to democracy in 1994.

The new bloc, however, has not decided who will be elected president if it is successful in the election.