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    South Africa’s Pivotal Election: ANC Faces Potential Loss of Majority for First Time Since 1994

    nephilaBy World News 3 Mins Read

    In the early stages of South Africa’s national election, the African National Congress (ANC) has garnered just over 42% of the vote, based on initial results from just over 16% of the votes counted. This early indication suggests the possibility of the ANC losing its majority for the first time since it led the country out of apartheid in 1994 under Nelson Mandela. The final election results, signaling a potentially significant shift in South Africa’s political landscape, are expected by Sunday.

    This election is particularly noteworthy as it could mark a pivotal change for South Africa, Africa’s most developed economy. The election has drawn a projected voter turnout of 70%, an increase from the 66% turnout in the last national election in 2019, where the ANC secured 57.5% of the vote, its lowest to date.

    The decline in ANC’s popularity has been evident over the past two decades, and this election is viewed as a critical test of its continued dominance. Current president and ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence in maintaining a solid majority, despite facing greater opposition than in previous years. However, if the ANC’s support falls below 50%, it would likely necessitate forming a coalition to stay in power and reelect Ramaphosa, a situation unprecedented in South Africa’s post-apartheid era.

    South Africans vote for parties, not individual presidential candidates, with the parties receiving seats in Parliament proportional to their vote share. Historically, the ANC has enjoyed a clear majority, automatically securing the presidency for its leader.

    While most votes remain uncounted, early results show the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, at about 25% and the Economic Freedom Fighters at around 8%. Additionally, the newly formed MK Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma who has broken away from the ANC, has also emerged as a significant player.

    The election saw long lines of voters, reminiscent of the 1994 election, with some polling stations in major cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town staying open well past the official closing time to accommodate the late surge of voters. This high level of engagement reflects the critical nature of this election for many South Africans.

    South Africa continues to grapple with severe issues like stark inequality, high unemployment rates, and escalating violent crime, issues that disproportionately affect its Black majority. Public dissatisfaction is also high due to persistent corruption scandals within the ANC and ongoing problems with basic government services, factors that have influenced voter sentiment in this pivotal election.

    Major Points

    • Early results from South Africa’s national election show the ANC with just over 42% of the vote, potentially losing its majority for the first time since 1994.
    • Only 16% of votes have been counted so far, with final results expected by Sunday, indicating a major political shift may be underway.
    • Voter turnout is projected at 70%, higher than the 66% in the 2019 elections, reflecting significant public engagement.
    • The ANC may need to form a coalition to stay in power if its vote share falls below 50%, an unprecedented scenario in post-apartheid South Africa.
    • Key opposition parties include the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters, with new player MK Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, also making a strong showing.

    Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News

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