South Africa Faces Crucial Elections Amid Rising Dissatisfaction With ANC.

By Caroline Ameh

South Africans are gearing up for what is anticipated to be the most hotly contested elections since the end of apartheid, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) facing the prospect of losing its majority for the first time in three decades.

The national sentiment is somber, marked by some of the world’s highest rates of unemployment and inequality, frequent power cuts, water shortages, and rampant violent crime. A growing number of younger South Africans no longer harbor the same gratitude and loyalty towards the ANC as their parents and grandparents did, viewing the party as failing to address contemporary challenges despite leading the struggle for multi-racial democracy.

Opinion polls consistently indicate a decline in support for the ANC, with projections suggesting it may fall below the critical 50% mark nationally, down from 57.5% in the 2019 elections. This raises the possibility of South Africa’s first coalition government since the era of Nelson Mandela.

David Everatt, a professor at the University of Witwatersrand who has conducted polls for the ANC, forecasts the party’s support to hover around 46-47%, attributing the prevailing low morale to widespread dissatisfaction with the ANC’s performance.

While significant strides have been made in improving access to housing, electricity, and running water since 1994, escalating unemployment, corruption scandals, and prolonged power outages have eroded public trust in the government. Even Mandela’s hometown, Qunu, lacks piped water, underscoring the disconnect between the ruling party and citizens’ daily realities.

According to a 2022 poll by Afrobarometer, over 80% of South Africans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, with four in 10 adults unemployed.

Eighteen-year-old Joy Reabetswe, saving for a law degree, expresses disillusionment with President Cyril Ramaphosa, lamenting that voting has not crossed her mind amid the ANC’s perceived failure to deliver tangible improvements. She voices skepticism towards the Democratic Alliance (DA), the largest opposition party, citing concerns about its alleged favoritism towards white interests.

Led by John Steenhuisen, the DA faces challenges in appealing to a broader electorate, compounded by skepticism among black voters stemming from the party’s historical ties to apartheid-era politics.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, present an alternative for some disillusioned voters, particularly among the youth. Nineteen-year-old Petronella expresses support for the EFF, praising its advocacy for marginalized communities and accountability.

Adding complexity to the electoral landscape is the emergence of uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new party named after the ANC’s former armed wing, led by ex-president Jacob Zuma. Zuma’s influence, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, poses a challenge to the ANC’s dominance, with voters expressing grievances against Ramaphosa’s administration.

Despite the ANC’s declining popularity, experts caution against underestimating its electoral prowess, citing its historical credentials and incumbency advantages. Kealeboga Maphunye, a professor of African politics, highlights the ANC’s ability to mobilize support, particularly in rural areas, and influence undecided voters through state resources.

With a third of registered voters undecided or unwilling to disclose their preferences, the outcome of the elections remains uncertain, underscoring the fluidity of South Africa’s political landscape as it grapples with pressing socio-economic challenges.