Opposition Party in South Africa Gathers Support as Election Campaign Comes to an End

As South Africa gears up for its upcoming elections, the Democratic Alliance (DA) is making a final push to unseat the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The DA, the largest opposition party in the country, has formed a pact with smaller opposition parties known as the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa in a bid to challenge the ANC’s dominance.

At a rally in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, thousands of DA supporters gathered to hear party leader John Steenhuisen make a passionate plea for unity. Steenhuisen warned that if DA voters do not turn out in force and instead split their votes among smaller parties, the country’s future could be bleak. He emphasized the importance of preventing a coalition between the ANC, the Economic Freedom Fighters, and the uMkhonto weSizwe, which he described as “doomsday for South Africa.”

Meanwhile, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), which holds sway in the populous KwaZulu Natal province, also joined forces with the DA in its quest to oust the ANC. IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa called on voters to take action and remove the government that has failed them, citing issues such as unemployment, poverty, crime, and the electricity crisis.

With polls indicating that the ANC’s support may dip below 50%, the upcoming elections are shaping up to be a closely contested battle. Both the DA and the IFP are rallying their supporters to vote for change and usher in a new era of governance in South Africa.