- South Africa is holding its seventh general elections since the end of apartheid on May 29, 2024, with 27.6 million registered voters electing 400 members of parliament, who will then elect the next president. [france24.com]
- The elections are considered the most significant and unpredictable since the end of apartheid in 1994, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party facing the prospect of losing its absolute majority for the first time. [bbc.com, lemonde.fr, aljazeera.com, france24.com]
- Voters are expressing discontent with the ANC, once led by Nelson Mandela, due to high unemployment, economic inequalities, corruption allegations, frequent power cuts, and other issues, potentially leading to a coalition government. [bbc.com, apnews.com, cnn.com]
- President Cyril Ramaphosa, a protege of Mandela, is facing the prospect of his party’s worst election result ever, with polls indicating the ANC may fall short of an outright majority for the first time after winning six successive national elections. [apnews.com, bbc.com]
- Despite polls showing support for the ANC below 50%, Ramaphosa is likely to be re-elected for a second term, but his future as president depends on the ANC’s performance, and coalition-building may be necessary. [apnews.com]
- The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, is seen as a threat to the ANC, polling at 20-25% in popularity, while the radical left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto we Sizwe could gather around 20% of the votes. [lemonde.fr, bbc.com]
- The election includes 52 parties, including one led by former President Zuma, and the DA forms a coalition to challenge the ANC’s long-standing majority. [cnn.com]
- South Africa faces severe inequality, high unemployment (around 50% of the population lives in poverty), corruption, economic struggles, power cuts, and crime (75 murders per day on average), with Black South Africans bearing the brunt of unemployment and poverty. [cnn.com, aljazeera.com]
- None of the South African presidents since 1994 have served their full two terms in office. [apnews.com]
Sources: