The African National Congress (ANC), led by Nelson Mandela, swept to victory in the country’s first multiracial election in 1994 and went on to win a majority in six more elections.
However, since reaching a peak of 70% in 2004, the party’s vote share has consistently decreased, and polls indicate that this year’s vote share could be less than 50%.
The ANC would still be the largest party in this scenario, allowing it to establish an official coalition with other parties or win support one vote at a time in exchange for concessions.
Although the terms of a partnership are not spelled out in the South African constitution, President Cyril Ramaphosa will probably continue to hold office if the ANC receives the majority of the vote.
The ANC’s slow decline can be attributed to voter discontent with high unemployment rates, frequent blackouts of power, and internal party corruption.
“The people we’ve spoken to today are very aware of the power of their vote,” Yousra Elbagir, a correspondent for News Africa, states from Johannesburg.
“They’ve seen the change it’s brought in the past and they’re hoping it can help with soaring unemployment, high inequality and the crime that has ridden their neighbourhood and the country.”
