South Africa’s most unpredictable election in three decades of democracy has left many voters questioning their loyalty to the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The long queues at polling stations brought back memories of the historic 1994 election that ended white minority rule, but for some, the gratitude towards the ANC for their liberation from apartheid is fading.
Melanie Ross, a 53-year-old teacher, expressed her disappointment, saying, “When we voted in 1994 it was about Mandela. This is not the Mandela era anymore, things have changed for the worse.” She is not alone in her sentiments, as other voters like Lwando Bangani and Nathan Samuel are also considering a change in their voting preferences.
Despite widespread discontent over economic and social issues such as poverty, inequality, high unemployment, and erratic power supply, analysts are uncertain about the outcome of the election. The ANC is expected to lose its parliamentary majority, potentially leading to a coalition government with smaller parties.
The electoral commission reported higher voter turnout than the previous election in 2019, which could work against the ANC according to Ipsos. However, Ebrahim Fakir of South Africa’s Auwal Socio-Economic Research Institute believes that voters may be giving the ANC one last chance to address their concerns.
As the election results unfold, the ANC’s future hangs in the balance, with the possibility of slipping below 50% and needing coalition partners to govern. The Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters, and Inkatha Freedom Party are among the potential allies that could shape the country’s political landscape in the coming years.