#ElectionResults: ‘Hard choices for President Ramaphosa’ – Madonsela

Ramaphosa

As election results come in, discussions about post-election scenarios are intensifying. The ANC appears likely to need a coalition to maintain power nationally.

Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela advised President Cyril Ramaphosa to avoid alliances with those involved in state capture, emphasising the importance of respecting the rule of law.

Madonsela’s tweet, although not directly naming Jacob Zuma, implied criticism of his presidency, often referred to as the ‘nine wasted years’. This comes in the context of the six-volume report on state capture by Judge Raymond Zondo.

“Hard choices for Presiden Ramaphosa. I hope the choice is not to bring back state capturers with zero respect for the rule of law.

“The country cannot afford it. Our structured rule of law-based transformation agenda cannot afford State Capture 2 and related impunity,” Madonsela said.

Deputy Secretary-General of the ANC, Nomvula Mokonyane, has announced that the party leadership will meet on Friday as they confront the prospect of losing their majority.

With 63.71% of votes counted, the ANC holds 41.86%, trailed by the DA at 22.88% and the MK party at 11.80%, which has surpassed the EFF’s 9.5%.

In the Northern Cape, the ANC leads with 49.27%, while in KwaZulu-Natal, the MK party has more than double the ANC’s support at 44.13%. The ANC also faces challenges in Gauteng with 35.13% of the vote.

“There will be a meeting of the ANC leadership today. There will be a consultation out of the meeting of the national officials. By tomorrow afternoon there will be an interaction with the nation,” Mokonyane told the media at the National Results Operation Centre on Friday.

Amidst discussions of coalitions and speculation about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s future, Mokonyane emphasised that coalition decisions would be made by party structures, not ROC officials.

“We don’t toy around with coalitions, we reflect on what is good for the country and respect the will of voters. That’s why we went into these elections with the full intention of absolute victory for the ANC.”

Johannesburg – South Africa’s ruling ANC was on track Friday to score its worst electoral result ever, with the latest tallies showing voters deserted the party in droves and ended its 30-year political dominance.

The African National Congress (ANC) is now all but certain to fall below 50 percent of the vote, forcing the party to seek a coalition partner to have enough backing to name a president and form a government.

This marks an historic evolution in the country’s democratic journey, as the party has enjoyed an absolute parliamentary majority since 1994, when its then leader Nelson Mandela led the nation out of white minority rule and into democracy.

With more than two thirds of the votes cast in Wednesday’s general election counted, the ANC remained in the lead but with a score below 42 percent, compared to the 57 percent it won in 2019 and far off the 62 percent secured by Mandela in 1994.

As votes continued to be validated, data from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) showed the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) held second place with 22.64 percent.

But it was not a surge by the DA that cut into the ANC’s vote share.

In third place was former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) on 12 percent, a surprise score for a party founded barely six months ago as a vehicle for the former ANC chief.

The final results are expected at the weekend, but with the trends clear and the votes stacking up on the IEC website, politicians and pundits were turning their attention to the prospects of an ANC-led coalition.

Right or left? 

The ANC has dominated South Africa’s democracy with an unbroken run of five presidents from the party, but if the latest, President Cyril Ramaphosa, is to remain at the helm he will have to decide whether to seek allies on his right or his left.

There will be resistance within his movement to a tie-up with the second-placed DA, under white politician John Steenhuisen, whose pro-free market programme of privatisation and an end to black economic empowerment programmes is at odds with the ruling party’s traditions.

But there will also be reluctance to invite Zuma, who left government facing a raft of corruption allegations, or firebrand Julius Malema’s radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) into government after both fought bitter campaigns against their former party.

‘Unpredictable partners’ 

The ANC retains the loyalty of many voters for its leading role in overthrowing white minority rule and its progressive social welfare and black economic empowerment policies are credited by supporters with helping millions of black families out of poverty.

But over, three decades of almost unchallenged rule, its leadership has been implicated in a series of large-scale corruption scandals, while the continent’s most industrialised economy has languished and crime and unemployment figures have hit record highs.

Some experts expect the party to patch up ties with one or both of the radical left groups, especially as the Zuma’s MK has stormed to victory in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.

“The MK has really eaten into the ANC’s vote,” Siphamandla Zondi, a politics professor from the University of Johannesburg, told AFP.

Others, like analyst and author Susan Booysen, said the rift between Ramaphosa and Zuma — who has long been bitter about the way he was forced out of office in 2018 — was “too far reaching” to mend.

The ANC might instead prefer the centre-right DA, which pledged to “rescue South Africa” through better governance, free market reforms and privatisations, to the leftist EFF, which is perceived as “too erratic” and “unpredictable” in its demands, she added.

But another outside observer, political analyst and business leader Sandile Swana, argued that Ramaphosa’s authority had take such a beating in the election that he would not be able to push reluctant party bigwigs to accept a DA alliance. “His power is gone within the ANC,” he said.  – AFP

 

South Africa’s ANC appeared all but certain to lose its 30-year-old outright majority Friday, according to partial election results with two-thirds of votes counted.

The party has held exclusive power since the start of post-apartheid democracy in 1994, but its vote share seems to have slipped below 50 percent in Wednesday’s poll, and after 66 percent of ballots were counted it had won only 41.84 percent of votes cast.

The MK Party has reached a significant milestone, garnering 1 million votes with 61.1% (8.6 million) of the total votes counted.

They are currently in third place, following the ANC with 3.6 million votes and the DA with 1.9 million votes.

The EFF is trailing with 820,000 votes.

 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape is optimistic about matching or surpassing its 2019 election performance, having crossed the 51% threshold for an outright majority with about 30% of the vote still to be counted.

The DA currently holds 54% of the vote, just shy of its previous result, while the ANC and Patriotic Alliance (PA) lag behind. DA provincial leader Tertius Simmers expressed satisfaction with the results, emphasising that voters appreciate the DA’s governance over the past 15 years.

The DA has also gained ground in rural areas, including Laingsburg and Beaufort West, challenging the PA’s influence. Additionally, the DA is seeing growth in George, Mossel Bay, the Overstrand, and the Swartland.

 

The uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party has rejected claims that its success in the 2024 elections is due to Zulu tribalism.

These claims were made by ANC chair Gwede Mantashe and DA federal chair Helen Zille, who attributed MK’s strong performance to tribal and ethnic voting.

According to The Citizen, MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela labelled these remarks as disrespectful, undermining the political choices of the Zulu people.

Ndhlela criticised the ANC for diverting attention from issues like unemployment and poverty by scapegoating, and also condemned Zille’s comments as indicative of a shared mentality between the ANC and DA.

Ndhlela emphasised that voters have expressed a clear message against government controlled by white monopoly capital and called for unity in rejecting tribalism and racism.

 

The website of South Africa’s electoral commission was down on Friday as the country counted votes from a key election in which the ruling ANC looked set to lose its majority.

“We apologise for the issue with our public facing NPE system, and are working on restoring service”, the commission said.

“The results system is still operational and local offices continue to capture results”, it said.

With a third of votes in Wednesday’s election tallied, the ANC was leading but with a score of only 42 percent – well below the 57 percent it won in 2019.

The centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) followed on 25 percent. The leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and former South African president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) were neck and neck on around nine percent each.

The final results are expected in the next three days.

 

ANC chair Gwede Mantashe attributed the early election success of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to tribalism, with MK leading at 43%, ANC at 20%, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) at 19%, and Democratic Alliance (DA) at 10%.

Political analysts, however, dismissed the idea of South Africa heading towards an ethnically fractured state.

While some acknowledge tribalism as a challenge, they argue that it won’t necessarily lead to widespread ethnic conflict.

 

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) experienced technical issues causing the crash of its dashboard and election results screens at the National Results and Operations Centre (ROC) at Gallagher Estate in Midrand.

This glitch also affected the IEC’s provisional results centres, website, and mobile app.

The cause of the issue, which occurred on Friday morning, remains unclear.

The IEC apologised for the disruption and assured that the results system remains operational, with local offices continuing to capture election results.

 

South Africa’s ruling ANC was on course to lose its 30-year-old parliamentary majority on Thursday, opening the prospect that the party that defeated apartheid will have to share power for the first time.

With a third of votes in Wednesday’s election tallied, the ANC was leading but with a score of only 42 percent – well below the 57 percent it won in 2019.

Followed by the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) on 25 percent. The leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and former South African president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) were neck and neck on around nine percent each.

The final results are expected in the next three days.

“The broad church of the ANC has taken a substantial knock. This is a shock to the system for the ANC and ultimately will also be a shock to the system for the average South African, who has only known ANC rule since 1994,” said political analyst Daniel Silke.

“It redraws the political boundaries of South Africa and creates a degree of uncertainty”.

If President Cyril Ramaphosa’s party is confirmed as dropping below 50 percent, it would force him to seek coalition partners to be re-elected to form a new government.

That would be a historic evolution in the country’s democratic journey, which was underlined by newspaper headlines on Thursday.

“SA on the cusp of shift in politics,” read the front page of daily BusinessDay. “The people have spoken,” headlined The Citizen.

– New chapter –
The ANC has dominated South Africa’s democracy with an unbroken run of five presidents from the party.

The party remains respected for its leading role in overthrowing white minority rule, and its progressive social welfare and black economic empowerment policies are credited by supporters with helping millions of black families out of poverty.

But over three decades of almost unchallenged rule, its leadership has been implicated in a series of large-scale corruption scandals, while the continent’s most industrialised economy has languished and crime and unemployment figures have hit record highs.

“The people in power are hopefully going to come down and we will have a new political party,” Shaun Manyoni, a 21-year-old student, said in Johannesburg.

Ramaphosa’s opponents from both the left and the right came to the polls on Wednesday hoping either to replace the ANC with an opposition alliance or force the party to negotiate a coalition agreement.

“Zuma ran this country perfectly … so let’s put him back and let South Africa run again,” Don Naidoo, a middle-aged small business owner from the province’s largest city of Durban, told AFP.

Voting was marked by hours-long queues in many districts, which in some cases forced polls to remain open well beyond closing time.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said a last-minute rush in urban voting and high turnout were to blame for the late finish.

Almost all votes had been counted by 3:00 pm on Thursday, but most had yet to be validated, IEC’s head Sy Mamabolo told a press conference.

While, the process was “proceeding well”, officials said they expected it would take longer than the usual 24 hours to reach an 80 percent tally, due to delays caused by the new three-ballot system.

– What bedfellows? –
If the ANC gets close to 50 percent it could shore up a majority by allying itself with some of the four dozen smaller and regional parties contesting the election.

But this appeared increasingly unlikely.

Experts were split on who the ANC would prefer as bedfellows and on whether the poor performance threatened Ramaphosa’s leadership.

“His power is gone within the ANC,” said analyst Sandile Swana, predicting that the party would patch up ties with one or both of the radical left groups led by former ANC figures: firebrand Julius Malema’s EFF or Zuma’s MK.

In a major upset, the latter was leading with 43 percent of preferences in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal, a key electoral battleground.

Siphamandla Zondi, a politics professor from the University of Johannesburg said MK was a natural partner for the ANC.

“They have similar policies and similar tendencies,” he said.

But analyst and author Susan Booysen said the rift between Ramaphosa and Zuma, who has long been bitter about the way he was forced out of office in 2018, was “too far reaching” to mend.

The ANC might prefer the centre-right DA, which pledged to “rescue South Africa” through better governance, free market reforms and privatisations, to the leftist EFF, which is perceived as “too erratic” and “unpredictable” in its demands, she added. – AFP

 

 

WATCH | The MK Party’s Duduzile Zuma says that a coalition with either the ANC or DA is out of the question.

South Africa’s ruling ANC was on course to lose its 30-year-old unchallenged majority on Thursday after voters queued long into the night to cast their ballots, preliminary results and projections showed.

With a fifth of votes tallied, the ANC was leading but with a score of 44 percent — well down on the 57 percent it won in 2019 — followed by the liberal Democratic Alliance (DA) at 25 percent, according to authorities.

The leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was in third place with nine percent of the vote, trailed by former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) on eight.

The final results are not expected to be known before the weekend.

“The broad church of the ANC has taken a substantial knock. This is a shock to the system for the ANC and ultimately will also be a shock to the system for the average South African, who has only known ANC rule since 1994,” said political analyst Daniel Silke.

“It redraws the political boundaries of South Africa and creates a degree of uncertainty”.

If President Cyril Ramaphosa’s party is confirmed as dropping below 50 percent, it would force him to seek coalition partners to be re-elected to form a new government.

That would be a historic evolution in the country’s democratic journey, which was underlined by newspaper headlines on Thursday.

“SA on the cusp of shift in politics,” read the front page of daily BusinessDay. “The people have spoken,” headlined The Citizen.

New chapter 

The ANC has dominated South Africa’s democracy with an unbroken run of five presidents from the party.

The party remains respected for its leading role in overthrowing white minority rule, and its progressive social welfare and black economic empowerment policies are credited by supporters with helping millions of black families out of poverty.

But over three decades of almost unchallenged rule, its leadership has been implicated in a series of large-scale corruption scandals, while the continent’s most industrialised economy has languished and crime and unemployment figures have hit record highs.

As life slowly returned to normal in central Johannesburg after voting day on Thursday, Shaun Manyoni, a 21-year-old student, having a morning beer outside his university, said his vote would help deliver change.

“The people in power are hopefully going to come down and we will have a new political party,” he said.

Ramaphosa’s opponents from both the left and the right came to the polls on Wednesday hoping either to replace the ANC with an opposition alliance or force the party to negotiate a coalition agreement.

“Zuma ran this country perfectly … so let’s put him back and let South Africa run again,” Don Naidoo, a middle-aged small business owner from the province’s largest city of Durban, told AFP.

What bedfellows? 

Voting was marked by hours-long queues in many districts, which in some cases forced polls to remain open well beyond closing time.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said a last-minute rush in urban voting and high turnout were to blame for the late finish and predicted the final turnout would be “well beyond” the 66 percent recorded in 2019.

If the ANC gets close to 50 percent it could shore up a majority by allying itself with some of the four dozen smaller and regional parties contesting the election.

But this appeared increasingly unlikely.

A projection by the respected the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), showed it was in line to win less than 42 percent, a share that could force it to partner with a bigger rival.

Yet, experts were split on who the ANC would prefer as bedfellows and on whether the poor performance threatened Ramaphosa’s leadership.

“His power is gone within the ANC,” said analyst Sandile Swana, predicting that the party would patch up ties with one or both of the radical left groups led by former ANC figures: firebrand Julius Malema’s EFF or Zuma’s MK.

In a major upset, the latter was leading with 43 percent of preferences in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal, a key electoral battleground.

Siphamandla Zondi, a politics professor from the University of Johannesburg said MK was a natural partner for the ANC.

“They have similar policies and similar tendencies,” he said.

But analyst and author Susan Booysen said the rift between Ramaphosa and Zuma, who has long been bitter about the way he was forced out of office in 2018, was “too far reaching” to mend.

The ANC might prefer the centre-right DA, which pledged to “rescue South Africa” through better governance, free market reforms and privatisations, to the leftist EFF, which is perceived as “too erratic” and “unpredictable” in its demands, she added.

Swana said he expects pressure from civil society to push for a convention to publicly discuss the makeup of a coalition.

“We don’t want politicians to talk among themselves,” he said. – AFP

 

 

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has stated that it’s too early to confirm voter turnout as vote tallying continues for Wednesday’s elections.

Despite speculation due to the high number of voters seen at polling stations, the IEC is cautious about projecting turnout figures.

Historically, voter turnout has declined from 87% in 1994 to 66% in 2019.

Experts attribute this decline to youth voter apathy and frustration over service delivery and socioeconomic issues.

The IEC aims to improve turnout with each election but is uncertain if this year’s numbers will surpass those of the last election. Currently, nearly 20% of voting districts have been counted.

 

After counting over 1.6 million votes, representing 16.65% of total ballots, the current standings for the National Ballot are:

  • ANC: 42.48%
  • DA: 25.76%
  • EFF: 8.5%
  • MK: 8.01%
  • PA: 4.43%
  • Newer parties like ActionSA, Rise Mzansi, and Bosa are polling below 1%.

ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe expressed surprise at the MK party’s strong performance in KwaZulu-Natal, where MKP is currently leading.

“MK is doing well in KZN. It has  surprised me…. but I’m not expecting the same performance in other provinces,” he said.

Despite this, Mantashe remains confident that the ANC will secure over 50% of the vote nationwide.

He downplayed claims that the ANC’s decline in KZN is due to a lack of service delivery and said that the party will develop a strategy to address the MKP “threat”.

Early indications suggest that Jacob Zuma’s MK party could significantly challenge the ANC’s dominance in KZN.

 

Johannesburg – Ballot counting was under way on Thursday after South Africans queued long into the night to vote in a watershed election, with partial results suggesting the ANC could lose its 30-year-old unchallenged majority.

Counting began in each voting station shortly after polls closed, in some cities long after the planned 9:00 pm (1900 GMT) Wednesday shutdown, with long queues of voters snaking into the night.

With just over 10 percent of votes tallied, the ANC was leading but with a score of 42 percent — well down on the 57 percent it won in 2019 — followed by the liberal Democratic Alliance (DA) at 26 percent, according to electoral authorities.

The leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was in third place with eight percent of the vote, trailed by former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) on seven percent.

The final results are not expected to be known before the weekend.

If President Cyril Ramaphosa’s party is confirmed as dropping below 50 percent for the first time since it came to power in 1994 — in South Africa’s first democratic, post-apartheid election — it would force him to seek coalition partners if he is to be re-elected to form a new government.

That would be a historic evolution in the country’s democratic journey, which was underlined by newspaper headlines on Thursday.

“SA on the cusp of shift in politics,” read the front page of daily BusinessDay.

“The people have spoken” headlined The Citizen, adding that the long queues were “reminiscent” of those that brought late liberation leader Nelson Mandela to power three decades ago.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said a last-minute rush in urban voting and high turnout were to blame for Wednesday’s late finish and predicted the final turnout would be “well beyond” the 66 percent recorded in 2019.

But many voters complained at polling stations that the three-ballot system was too complex.

IEC general manager of electoral operations Granville Abrahams said that “under the circumstances”, electoral authorities “could have done better”.

“But I think that, given the challenges that we had, we were able to get up to our feet very quickly by making minor adjustments,” he told local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.

Corruption scandals 

The ANC has dominated South African politics since Mandela won the first democratic election, beginning an unbroken run of five presidents from the party.

The party remains respected for its leading role in overthrowing white minority rule, and its progressive social welfare and black economic empowerment policies are credited by supporters with helping millions of black families out of poverty.

But over three decades of almost unchallenged rule, the party leadership has been implicated in a series of large-scale corruption scandals, while the continent’s most industrialised economy has languished and crime and unemployment figures have hit record highs.

In Durban, accountant and first-time voter Sibahle Vilakazi, 25, found herself trapped in a huge queue winding away from her polling station but insisted she would not be daunted.

“We’re honestly in need of change in this country and I think that is why the queues are so long,” she said. “I’m not giving up, we need to see the change.”

Against this background, Ramaphosa’s opponents from both the left and the right came to the polls on Wednesday hoping either to replace the ANC with an opposition alliance or force the party to negotiate a coalition agreement.

Voting in his hometown of Soweto, the emblematic centre of the anti-apartheid struggle, Ramaphosa insisted “the people will once again invest confidence in the ANC to continue leading this country”.

But DA leader John Steenhuisen predicted no single party would win an outright majority, creating an opening for his party and an alliance of smaller outfits.

“For the first time in 30 years, there’s an opportunity for change in South Africa,” he said after voting in his home city, Durban.

Firebrand leftists 

If the ANC outperforms the predictions and gets close to 50 percent it could shore up a majority by allying itself with some of the four dozen smaller and regional parties contesting the election.

If it drops to 40 percent it could patch up ties with one or both of the radical left parties led by former ANC figures: firebrand Julius Malema’s EFF or Zuma’s MK.

In a major upset, MK was leading with 41 percent of preferences in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal, a key electoral battleground, according to preliminary results.

The DA, which pledged to “rescue South Africa” through better governance, free market reforms and privatisations, brands such a notion the “Doomsday Coalition” and hopes to reach 50 percent with a broad alliance of smaller parties.

 

 

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has begun announcing results from the 29 May elections, with the African National Congress (ANC) leading, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

The newly formed Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party also ranks among the top parties.

The first results came in at 00:18 from the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela municipality in the Eastern Cape.

Final results are expected by the weekend.

Chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo noted a higher voter turnout than the 66% in 2019, attributing delays to a last-minute rush and the complexity of the three-ballot system.

To enhance counting accuracy, the IEC has employed additional staff with high numeracy skills to assist presiding officers at each voting station.

 

Johannesburg – Ballot counting was under way Thursday after South Africans queued long into the night to vote in a watershed election that could spell the end of the ANC’s 30-year-old unchallenged majority.

Counting began in each voting station shortly after polls closed, in some cities long after the planned 9:00 pm (1900 GMT) Wednesday shutdown, with long queues of voters snaking into the night.

The final result is not expected to be known before the weekend, but observers will scour turnout figures and partial results to predict whether the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has finally lost its overall parliamentary majority.

If President Cyril Ramaphosa’s party drops below 50 percent for the first time since it came to power in 1994 — in South Africa’s first democratic, post-apartheid election — it will force him to seek coalition partners if he is to be re-elected by parliament to form a new government.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said a last-minute rush in urban voting and high turnout were to blame for Wednesday’s late finish, but many voters complained at polling stations that the three-ballot system was too complex.

“We are experiencing a late surge and are processing a large number of voters,” IEC chief Sy Mamabolo told reporters, predicting that the final turnout figure would be “well beyond” the 66 percent recorded in the last election in 2019.

Corruption scandals 

The ANC has dominated South African politics since the late liberation leader Nelson Mandela won the country’s first democratic election and began an unbroken run of five presidents from the party.

The party remains respected for its leading role in overthrowing white minority rule, and its progressive social welfare and black economic empowerment policies are credited by supporters with helping millions of black families out of poverty.

But over three decades of almost unchallenged rule, the party leadership has been implicated in a series of large-scale corruption scandals, while the continent’s most industrialised economy has languished and crime and unemployment figures have hit record highs.

In Durban, accountant and first-time voter Sibahle Vilakazi, 25, found herself trapped in a huge queue winding away from her polling station but insisted she would not be daunted.

“We’re honestly in need of change in this country and I think that is why the queues are so long,” she said. “I’m not giving up, we need to see the change.”

In Soweto, Kqomotso Mtumba, a 44-year-old bank official, said she voted ANC in the past but had now chosen an “upcoming party” whose manifesto had impressed her.

Against this background, Ramaphosa’s opponents from both the left and the right came to the polls on Wednesday hoping either to replace the ANC with an opposition alliance or force the party to negotiate a coalition agreement.

Voting in his hometown of Soweto, the emblematic centre of the anti-apartheid struggle, Ramaphosa insisted “the people will once again invest confidence in the ANC to continue leading this country”.

But John Steenhuisen, leader of the biggest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), predicted no single party would win an outright majority, creating an opening for his party and an alliance of smaller outfits.

“For the first time in 30 years, there’s an opportunity for change in South Africa,” he said after voting in his home city, Durban.

Opinion polls suggest the ANC could win as little as 40 percent of the vote, down from 57 percent in 2019, but no opposition party is expected to break the 25 percent forecast for Steenhuisen’s centre-right DA.

Firebrand leftists 

If the ANC outperforms the predictions and gets close to 50 percent it could shore up a majority by allying itself with some of the four dozen smaller and regional parties contesting the election.

If it drops to 40 percent it could patch up ties with one or both of the radical left parties led by former ANC figures: firebrand Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) or former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK).

The DA, which pledged to “rescue South Africa” through better governance, free market reforms and privatisations, brands such a notion the “Doomsday Coalition” and hopes to get itself to 50 percent with a broad alliance of smaller parties.

 

IEC commissioner Sy Mamabolo has confirmed there would be no extension for a second day of voting, addressing concerns that Wednesday’s elections might spill into Thursday.

Despite accusations from EFF leader Julius Malema of deliberate delays causing long queues, Mamabolo assured that the IEC aims to assist everyone in line and complete voting as planned.

“There are no deliberate delays on the part of the commission; we want to assist everybody who is in the queue and take their ballot. We have no plan for the second day of voting; we have never had such a plan, so voting will conclude until everybody who is in the queue is given an opportunity,” he said.

Meanwhile, political leaders gathered at the Results Operations Centre (ROC) in Midrand, where a leaderboard will display the results as they come in.

Mamabolo noted that results would take longer due to multiple ballots, with initial results expected around 1am.

The IEC also addressed issues of fake news and attacks on its integrity, while parties like the ANC expressed confidence in the commission’s efforts.

 

Johannesburg – Turnout in Wednesday’s South African general election is expected to exceed the previous poll in 2019 poll when 66 percent of registered voters took part, electoral commission chief Sy Mamabolo said.

As he spoke, thousands were still queueing outside polling stations after nightfall, just over an hour away from  planned closure. “We are in for a higher turnout than we had in 2019, which is why it is the intention of the commission at this point to ensure that every voter who is on the queue is given an opportunity,” he said. – AFP

Six arrested in Eastern Cape for electoral act violations

Six suspects, aged between 24 and 51, were arrested in Mavundleni locality, Eastern Cape, for violating the Electoral Act.

The arrests occurred between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

According to The Citizen, the suspects allegedly destroyed a voting station tent on Sunday, complained about service delivery, and threatened Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) officials on Monday, demanding the station’s closure to prevent voting.

On Tuesday, they blocked roads and burned tires to disrupt movement.

The police, with the help of Public Order Policing, conducted an operation resulting in the arrests.

The suspects are held at Mqanduli police station and will appear in court on Friday.

Police Minister Bheki Cele noted that voting is proceeding smoothly nationwide, except in some parts of the Eastern Cape.

 

Soweto – South Africa’s ruling ANC was fighting Wednesday to defy expectations that it could lose its three-decade-long exclusive grip on power as voters turned out for a watershed general election.

More than 27 million voters are registered for the most uncertain poll since the African National Congress (ANC) led the nation out of apartheid rule – and with President Cyril Ramaphosa seeking re-election.

With opposition challenges from both the left and right, unemployment and crime at near record levels and a new generation growing up with no memory of the struggle against white-minority rule, the ruling party may need to share power.

After voting, Ramaphosa said: “I have no doubt whatsoever in my heart of hearts that the people will once again invest confidence in ANC to continue leading this country.

“The people of SA will give the ANC a firm majority.”

But the leader of the biggest opposition party, John Steenhuisen of the Democratic Alliance, predicted no single party would win an outright majority, creating an opening for his alliance of smaller parties.

After voting in his home city of Durban, Steenhuisen said “for the first time in 30 years there’s an opportunity for change in South Africa”.

In Soweto, the president’s hometown and the unofficial capital of the liberation battle, elderly ANC loyalists turned out early but as the queues lengthened there were signs of disillusionment.

Kqomotso Mtumba, a 44-year-old bank official, sporting burgundy and black beaded braids, said she had voted ANC in the past but had now chosen an “upcoming party” whose manifesto had impressed her.

“The last party I voted for, their promises didn’t work out so I’ll be trying this one,” she said.

In the working-class Johannesburg district of Alexandria, even public sector workers like a young woman who gave her name only as “Keletso” were frustrated.

“I really need to see change,” the 34-year-old said, wearing a pink house robe with a bunny-ears hoodie and slippers.

“We need new people, fresh blood. Unemployment is bad. To put bread on the table some people do crime, others become prostitutes.”

In Nkandla, in the volatile eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, some voters were confused by the new voting system — for the first time, three ballots, two for the National Assembly and one for the provincial assembly.

“There was a moment I was confused. I had to ask for help and explanation,” admitted 70-year-old Cynthia Ntshangase.

Voters will choose the 400 members of the National Assembly who in the coming weeks will then choose a president from among their number.

For the first time since the advent of democracy in 1994, the ANC could be forced to negotiate a coalition in order to remain in government.

“South Africa’s general election is a watershed moment in the political history of the country,” said Aleix Montana, an analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.

Under the leadership of the late Nelson Mandela, the ANC won freedom for black South Africans after decades of apartheid, then lifted millions out of poverty by creating a broad social welfare system.

Strong foundation 

But many in the country of 62 million are fed up with high unemployment, currently at 32.9 percent, rampant crime, corruption scandals, and regular power cuts and water shortages.

The economy grew a meagre 0.6 percent in 2023, and polls suggest the ANC could win as little as 40 percent of the vote, down from 57 percent in 2019.

If the ANC wins fewer than 201 seats, Ramaphosa would have to negotiate with opposition parties and independent MPs to secure a majority. It could face stark choices.

On the right, it is challenged by the Democratic Alliance (DA), which has vowed to “Rescue South Africa” through clean governance, privatisation and deregulation but has struggled to shake off its image as a party for the white minority.

Polls put DA support below 25 percent.

On the left, it is bleeding support to former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) and Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which are pushing for land redistribution and nationalisations.

Polls estimate these two parties are tied at around 10 percent.

Once an ANC stalwart, Zuma fell out with his old party after being forced out of office under a cloud of corruption allegations in 2018.

He has been barred from standing as an MP because of a conviction for contempt of court, but remains extremely popular in KwaZulu-Natal, his home province.

Easier deal? 

In Zuma’s hometown Nkandla, call centre worker and teaching student Nokuthobeka Ngcobo, 26, declared she was “so happy” to have voted MK.

“I’m voting for them because I want change… and I have hope that Zuma and the MK will bring change,” she said.

Were the ANC to come close to 50 percent it could strike an easier deal with some of the dozens of smaller groups in the running.

Full results are not expected before the weekend. – AFP

 

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa cast his general election vote on Wednesday and said he had “no doubt” that the electorate would “once again” back his ruling African National Congress (ANC).

The ANC has enjoyed an absolute majority in the National Assembly since the advent of democracy in 1994, but opinion polls suggest that it could be about to fall below 50 percent for the first time.

But, talking to reporters after voting in Soweto, Ramaphosa said he had “no doubt whatsoever that the people will once again remain confident in the ANC”.

The leader of South Africa’s biggest opposition party, John Steenhuisen of the Democratic Alliance said no single party would win at outright majority in Wednesday’s general election.

After voting in his home city of Durban, Steenhuisen said the ruling ANC would lose its absolute majority and “for the first time in 30 years there’s an opportunity for change in South Africa”. AFP

South Africans vote with ANC rule in balance

Johannesburg – South African voters turned out for a landmark general election on Wednesday, with the ruling ANC’s exclusive grip on power in doubt three decades after the advent of democracy.

Some 27 million voters are registered for the most uncertain poll since the African National Congress (ANC) led the nation out of apartheid rule, with opposition challenges from both the left and right.

In Soweto, the former black township that became the unofficial capital of the liberation struggle, elderly voters still loyal to the ANC turned out early, for a station that opened 15 minutes late.

“I am very excited to be here. It is the reason I woke up so early. I have to vote for the party that I love, that made me who I am today,” said 76-year-old Agnes Ngobeni, the first in the queue at one station.

Asked who she was supporting, she said: “Its a very old party that has has been with us all along. I don’t like the new guys.”

Danveries Mabasa, a 41-year-old unemployed Sowetan in a grey knee length coat and brown cap disagreed.

“I want change. Its been a long way coming. The least I can do myself is vote and keep waiting. We have no jobs, no water, nothing is working,” he said.

In Nkandla, in the volatile eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, some of the first voters were confused by the complex voting system.

“I had to ask for help and explanation because it’s the first time we’ve had three ballots,” complained 70-year-old Cynthia Ntshangase, as she left the school house turned polling station.

In Wednesday’s election, voters will choose the 400 members of the National Assembly and these MPs will then go on in the coming weeks to choose a president from among their number.

Candidates for South Africa’s nine provincial assemblies are also on the ballot.

For the first time since the advent of democracy in 1994, the ANC could be forced to negotiate a coalition in order to remain in government.

“South Africa’s general election is a watershed moment in the political history of the country,” said Aleix Montana, an analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.

Under the leadership of the late Nelson Mandela, the ANC won freedom for black South Africans after decades of apartheid, then lifted millions out of poverty by creating a broad social welfare system.

Strong foundation 

But many in the country of 62 million are fed up with high unemployment, currently at 32.9 percent, rampant crime, corruption scandals, and regular power cuts and water shortages.

The economy grew a meagre 0.6 percent in 2023.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is seeking a second term, defended his record in a speech to the nation on Sunday, citing progress in fighting graft and fixing gaps in electricity production among other successes.

“We have placed South Africa on a new trajectory of recovery and laid a strong foundation for future growth,” the 71-year-old said.

“We cannot afford to turn back. There is more work to be done.”

He has also promised to usher in universal credit and push ahead with plans to provide health coverage.

But polls suggest the ANC could win as little as 40 percent of the vote, down from 57 percent in 2019.

Instability ahead? 

If the ANC wins fewer than 201 seats, Ramaphosa would have to negotiate with opposition parties and independent MPs to secure a majority and return to government headquarters in Pretoria.

It could face stark choices.

On the right, it is beset by the Democratic Alliance (DA), which has vowed to “Rescue South Africa” through clean governance, privatisation and deregulation.

Polls put its support below 25 percent.

On the left, it is bleeding support to former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) and Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which favour land redistribution and nationalisation.

Polls estimate the two parties are tied at around 10 percent.

Once an ANC stalwart, Zuma fell out with his old party after being forced out of office under a cloud of corruption allegations in 2018.

He has been barred from standing as an MP because of a conviction for contempt of court, but remains extremely popular in KwaZulu-Natal, his home province.

Were the ANC to come close to 50 percent, however, it could strike a potentially easier deal with some of the dozens of smaller groups in the running.

Full results are not expected before the weekend. – AFP

 

Early birds: SA voters turn out in droves

Across the country, significant voter turnout was observed as polling stations opened at 7 am. Eyewitness News reported from several key areas:

Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal:

  • The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, led by Jacob Zuma, aims for a strong showing in traditional ANC and IFP strongholds. Numerous residents indicated on Tuesday that they are inclined to vote for the MK party. Zuma is expected to vote around midday at Ntolwane Primary School, near his Nkandla home.

Bloemfontein, Free State:

  • Voters braved cold weather, expressing a desire for change and a better government. This election marks the ANC’s first without former premier Ace Magashule, now leader of the African Congress for Transformation (ACT).

Vuwani, Limpopo:

  • Frustrated by a long-delayed police station and rising crime, residents voted for an end to load-shedding and a return to community spirit.

Joubert Park, Johannesburg:

  • Despite efforts to reduce voter traffic, long-standing issues like poor sanitation and dilapidated infrastructure persist near the country’s largest voting station.

George, Western Cape:

  • In the ANC stronghold of Thembalethu township, elderly voters turned out despite chilly weather to support candidates who can advance the country.

Greenpoint, Northern Cape:

  • Residents suffering from sewage leaks and poor infrastructure voted for jobs, housing, and clean water.

 

No load-shedding on election day – Ramokgopa, Eskom

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and Eskom assured that no load-shedding would occur on Wednesday, dismissing a false social media post about imminent power cuts as a political ploy.

Eskom reported 62 consecutive days without load-shedding due to improved generation performance and lower-than-expected unplanned outages.

“Load-shedding has been suspended for 62 consecutive days and continues to be suspended,” Eskom said on Tuesday night.

“Our generation availability continues to perform well. Unplanned outages are averaging at 12,500MW, below what was anticipated for our winter outlook. The energy availability factor (EAF) of four of our power stations is performing above 70%. Our year-to-date EAF is improving gradually and is at 60.73%.”

Meanwhile, according to Times Live, Ramokgopa commended Eskom for its efforts to enhance energy availability and reduce breakdowns through increased planned maintenance since March 2023.

 

 

South African polling stations on Wednesday opened for a potentially historic general election, three decades after the advent of post-apartheid democracy.

Some 27 million voters are registered for the poll, which may mark the first time that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) loses its absolute majority. AFP

Cape Town – South Africa’s national and provincial elections have officially commenced, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s democratic process.

Voters across the nation are heading to the polls to elect representatives who will shape the future of the country’s government.

High Stakes and Intense Campaigning

The lead-up to these elections has been characterized by intense campaigning from all major political parties. The African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have been at the forefront, each presenting their visions for South Africa’s future. Key issues in this election include economic reform, corruption, job creation, and public service delivery.

Challenges at Home Affairs

Amidst the election fervor, the Department of Home Affairs has faced significant challenges. Long queues and technical glitches have hampered the issuance of temporary IDs, which are crucial for many voters. Despite these issues, Home Affairs extended operating hours to accommodate the influx of citizens needing identification documents to vote.

Security and Safety Measures

Authorities have implemented stringent security measures to ensure a smooth and safe voting process. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has been vigilant in addressing any potential disruptions and ensuring the integrity of the elections. Police presence has been increased in various regions to maintain order and prevent any incidents of violence or intimidation.

Prominent Leaders Cast Their Votes

Prominent political leaders have been seen casting their votes early in the day, urging citizens to participate in the electoral process. President Cyril Ramaphosa, DA leader John Steenhuisen, and EFF leader Julius Malema were among the first to vote, emphasizing the importance of every vote in shaping the nation’s future.

A Diverse and Engaged Electorate

South Africa’s electorate is diverse, with citizens from all walks of life coming together to exercise their democratic rights. From urban centers like Johannesburg and Cape Town to rural areas, voters are turning out in large numbers, reflecting a robust engagement in the political process.

International Observers Monitor the Process

International observers have been deployed across the country to monitor the elections and ensure they are free and fair. These observers play a crucial role in upholding the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process.

Looking Ahead

As voting continues throughout the day, the nation waits in anticipation for the results, which will determine the course of South Africa’s political landscape. The IEC will begin counting votes immediately after the polls close, with preliminary results expected to be announced within the next few days.

The outcome of these elections will not only influence the immediate political scenario but will also set the tone for South Africa’s future trajectory in terms of governance, economic development, and social progress

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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