On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially announced May 29th as the date for South Africa’s seventh national election since the dismantling of apartheid in 1994. This vote marks a crucial moment for the ruling African National Congress (ANC), the party once led by Nelson Mandela, which is facing its toughest challenge yet in holding onto its parliamentary majority.
For decades, the ANC, synonymous with the anti-apartheid struggle, held power with comfortable electoral margins. However, recent polls suggest a potential shift in the political landscape. Public frustrations with high unemployment, persistent corruption issues, and crippling energy shortages have led to predictions that the party might fall below 50% of the vote for the first time in history. This scenario would force the ANC to form a coalition to maintain control, a situation unprecedented in South Africa’s national government.
Unlike many presidential systems, South African voters directly choose a party, not an individual candidate. Based on the vote share, parties receive seats in the 400-member Parliament, which then elects the president. Historically, the ANC’s dominance translated to an ANC president.
President Ramaphosa urged South Africans to actively participate in the democratic process, stating, “These elections are not only our constitutional duty, but also a celebration of our democratic journey and a defining moment for our shared future.” He called for peaceful campaigning within the legal framework.
Beyond the national election, voters will also choose the composition of provincial legislatures. With May 29th fast approaching, South Africa braces for a pivotal election that will shape the nation’s political landscape and its trajectory in the years to come.
