South Africa elections: ANC support remains intact due to strong loyalty and hope | World News

Thirty years after the ANC was voted in with Nelson Mandela at the helm, support for the party has hit a record low, especially among young people. The message of this election is clear – even if the African National Congress (ANC) retains its parliamentary majority by a small margin.

In Johannesburg’s Alexandra township, one of the oldest black townships in South Africa, the effects of this disillusionment with the ANC are palpable. Rubbish lines the streets, shacks crowd the space between one-room houses, and unemployment and power cuts have led to rampant crime. All of this exists in the shadow of the skyscrapers of Sandton, the country’s economic hub.

The Alexandra Renewal project, introduced in 2001 with a promise of urban regeneration, failed to materialize, leaving residents feeling betrayed. Allegations of corruption and mismanagement have plagued the project, with no accountability or clarity on the disappeared funds.

In the midst of this discontent, many young black voters have turned to opposition parties, seeking change and accountability. One voter in Alexandra expressed disappointment in the lack of progress and tangible improvements promised by the ANC.

As the country reflects on thirty years of democracy, the ballot holds different meanings for different generations. For the older generation, it is a chance to remember a historic moment. For the youth, it is an opportunity to demand the change and accountability they have been promised. The future of South Africa’s political landscape hangs in the balance as the ANC grapples with waning support and a new generation of voters seeks a different path forward.