South Africans have made a bold statement in the recent election, rejecting the long-standing African National Congress (A.N.C.) and shaking up the political landscape of the country. The A.N.C., which has held power since the end of apartheid in 1994, failed to secure an absolute majority for the first time, receiving only about 40 percent of the vote.
This significant drop in support, from nearly 58 percent in the last election, has left the A.N.C. scrambling to form a coalition government within the next two weeks. Rival parties have criticized the A.N.C. for corruption and have vowed not to ally with them, raising questions about the party’s future direction.
One key figure in this political upheaval is former A.N.C. leader Jacob Zuma, who resigned in 2018 amid corruption allegations. A new party that he helped start just six months ago surprisingly won almost 15 percent of the vote, further complicating the political landscape.
The Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party with nearly 22 percent of the vote, could potentially be an ally for the A.N.C. However, accusations from some A.N.C. members that the Democratic Alliance promotes policies reminiscent of apartheid may hinder any potential partnership.
Voter frustrations over high unemployment rates, shortages of basic necessities, and rampant crime have fueled the rejection of the A.N.C. Many South Africans feel that the party has failed to address the country’s pressing issues and are looking for change.
As President Cyril Ramaphosa works to unite his party and form a coalition government, he faces challenges from within the A.N.C. Some members may blame him for the party’s defeat and seek new leadership. The future of South Africa’s political landscape hangs in the balance as parties navigate the post-election landscape.
