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South Africa’s ruling African National Congress party has lost its majority for the first time in 30 years after national elections this week, marking the biggest political shift in the country since the end of apartheid.
Nelson Mandela’s party suffered a seismic blow at the polls, final election results announced on Sunday confirmed. Support for the ANC dropped to 40.18%, a huge slump from the 57.5% it received in the last election in 2019
he official opposition party, the centrist Democratic Alliance (DA), received 21.8% of the vote. Former President Jacob Zuma’s newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) had nearly 14.59% of the vote. Another ANC splinter party – the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – had nearly 10%, with results at 9.52%
The blow to the ANC comes after years of corruption scandals and economic mismanagement. As a result, the ANC will be forced to form a coalition to govern the world’s most unequal country.
When Cyril Ramaphosa assumed office in 2018, succeeding the controversial Jacob Zuma, he pledged a "new dawn" for South Africa, marking a departure from the tumultuous past. However, the disillusionment felt by many suggests that this promise has largely gone unfulfilled, as evidenced by the recent election results reflecting deep-seated frustrations among the populace.
Ramaphosa, once Mandela's favored successor within the African National Congress (ANC), acknowledged the electorate's verdict, acknowledging that the people's voices had been heard, and their choices must be respected. The ANC's electoral setback, while anticipated, revealed a widespread dissatisfaction with the party's governance, particularly during the Zuma era and its aftermath.
Analysts point to a disconnect between the ANC leadership and the general electorate, attributing the party's decline to arrogance and neglect. Opposition parties like MK and the EFF have leveraged this discontent to their advantage.
Zuma's tumultuous tenure, marked by corruption scandals and legal battles, remains a contentious issue. Despite being barred from parliamentary candidacy, his influence persists through the MK party, challenging the election results.
The ANC now navigates uncharted waters, facing the necessity of forming coalitions to govern effectively. While the ANC Secretary-General acknowledged the electorate's concerns, he dismissed calls for Ramaphosa's resignation, signaling potential tensions in coalition negotiations.
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The election outcome reflects a shifting political landscape, with KwaZulu-Natal, traditionally an ANC stronghold, witnessing a significant shift toward the MK party. This uncertainty has led to speculation about potential coalition configurations, with analysts agreeing on the unprecedented nature of the situation.
Despite the instability, some view this election as a step toward democratic maturity, signaling a necessary change from one-party dominance. Ramaphosa echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the victory for democracy and constitutional order.
The ANC's decline underscores broader socioeconomic challenges facing South Africa, including rampant corruption, unemployment, power cuts, and economic stagnation. These issues disproportionately affect Black South Africans, exacerbating inequalities and disillusionment with the ruling party.
As South Africa grapples with the aftermath of the election, the ANC faces a reckoning with its legacy and future trajectory. Ramaphosa, once hailed as a potential Mandela-like figure, now confronts mounting pressure to address the electorate's demands for job creation and economic prosperity. Whether a coalition government can deliver on these expectations remains uncertain, signaling a pivotal moment in South Africa's political landscape.
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