Voters in South Africa participate in elections, considered a major challenge to the ANC's 30-year rule.
In recent months, surveys suggest the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party may lose their majority for the first time since Nelson Mandela led it to victory in 1994. While predicting election results in South Africa can be tricky, the general consensus among experts is that the ANC is experiencing its toughest battle yet with a population deeply dissatisfied with the country's path. If support for the party drops below 50%, they will be obligated to join a coalition government.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA ELECTIONS
- South Africa adopts a "proportional representation" system.
- Voters can only cast their ballot for a single party, not a presidential candidate.
- There are 31 political parties vying for votes in the national election.
- The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) oversees the entire process.
ANC leader and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared Wednesday's vote "one of the most crucial elections in South Africa's history" during a speech to thousands in Soweto's FNB soccer stadium on Saturday.
“The people will decide whether our country progresses with the ANC towards a brighter future or retreats to the dark past,” Ramaphosa noted.
South Africa is known as the world's most unequal country, based on the World Bank's data. Additionally, its population faces the most sustained rate of unemployment, immense corruption, a struggling economy, regular power outages, and increasing crime rates. Black citizens, who make up 81% of the population, bear the brunt of these issues, while White South Africans tend to have jobs and higher salaries.
A total of 52 parties are on the ballot for this election, including newcomers like former President Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK). Zuma stepped down as president in 2018 and spent a short time in jail in 2021 for defying court orders. However, his party will still compete in the election, and his portrait will continue to appear on the ballots.
With just a few days before the election, other major parties held their final rallies, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), the nation's official opposition.
“On Wednesday, the ANC will forfeit the overwhelming majority it has exploited for years to inflict unemployment, corruption, and misgovernance on the people of this country,” DA leader John Steenhuisen told supporters in the town of Benoni, which lies east of Johannesburg. The DA has joined forces with minor opposition parties to form a coalition known as the Multi-Party Charter.
This marks South Africa's seventh general election since the end of apartheid 30 years ago. Almost 27.8 million people are enrolled to vote – a record high, as per the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Although voting is voluntary in South Africa, every election thus far has seen a turnout of around 70%. This makes voter apathy an issue to be cautious of as elections approach.
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The world is watching as South Africa prepares for its general election, with many hoping for a shift away from the country's current issues. In Africa, South Africa stands out for its high unemployment rate, corruption, struggling economy, and increasing crime rates, affecting its population heavily, particularly the black majority.
Source: edition.cnn.com
