Voters in Rural South Africa Contemplate Frustration and Loyalty to the ANC

In Nelson Mandela’s hometown of Qunu, South Africa, residents are facing a multitude of challenges as they prepare to cast their votes in the upcoming elections. Since 2016, the community has been without running water, jobs are scarce, and crime rates are on the rise, leaving many young men and women unemployed and turning to alcohol to pass the time.

While older voters like 65-year-old Mzwandile Mthembu continue to support the ruling African National Congress (ANC) out of gratitude for the freedom they gained post-apartheid, younger residents like 37-year-old Lungile Xozwa are looking for change and plan to vote for the opposition.

The dissatisfaction with the ANC is not unique to Qunu, as similar sentiments are echoed across South Africa where unemployment rates are high, basic services are unreliable, and crime is a growing concern. Recent polls suggest that the ANC may lose its majority for the first time since 1994, potentially leading to a coalition government.

Despite the challenges facing the community, some residents like 24-year-old Phila Gogozayo are hopeful for change and plan to vote for the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party. Others, like 35-year-old Thabisa Madiba, still plan to vote for the ANC, believing that “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.”

As the May elections draw near, the future of South Africa’s political landscape remains uncertain, with a generational divide and growing discontent posing a significant challenge to the ruling party.