Eighteen parties are expected to form a government within the required 14 days after the election results are announced, but Dr Oshpen Maseng, a political analyst at the University of Mpumalanga, believes the process will not be smooth sailing.
The ANC has already announced its position, choosing the Government of National Unity as its preferred form of government.
Masseng said the coalition governments in some of the country's local governments were emblematic of the instability that coalition governments can bring.
“People from different parties have different political stances so of course there will be different opinions. So it's not always smooth sailing. I think we've experienced that through multi-party government at the local government level. At that level of government there is always instability within government,” Masseng said.
Economist Makwe Masilela says the country's economy is also likely to be affected, especially if any coalition government formed does not last.
“If that is not maintained then unfortunately there will be uncertainty and we know that markets do not like uncertainty and as a result we will see market volatility and we will see the rand weaken,” Masilela said.
Meanwhile, South Africa's Parliament has confirmed that it will hold its first parliamentary session, despite some political parties stating that they will not attend.
Parliamentary Secretary Masibulele Shaso said the process would be carried out as Parliament has been constituted.
Xaso said it will release information to the public once a date is confirmed.
Coalition Talks | Democracy Development Program: Respecting Voters