South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) has suggested forming a government of national unity after losing its parliamentary majority in last week's elections.

It says it has reached out to all parties but negotiations are still underway.

"The results indicate that the South Africans want all parties to work together," ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri told journalists.

The ANC got about 40% of the vote, with the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) on 22%, the MK party of former President Jacob Zuma on 15% and the radical Economic Freedom Fighters on 9%.

Ms Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC has had discussions with the DA, the EFF and other smaller parties.

She revealed that despite reaching out to the MK, there has been no positive response.

"We believe that despite any differences we may have, working together as South Africans, we can seize this moment to usher our country into a new era of hope."