Having lived in Pretoria for a few months, I recognized the significant potential in South Africa, particularly through its decades-old infrastructure, and its ability to influence other African nations positively. I've been closely monitoring the political landscape since 2012, when I decided to travel there, and have observed notable developments. The African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority in Parliament in the 2024 elections after a 30-year reign. This event offers several critical insights and has extensive implications for both South Africa and the continent. The results showed ANC leading with 40%, followed by the Democratic Alliance with 21% and Jacob Zuma's MK party with 15%. The EFF, led by Joseph Malema, garnered less than 10%. Despite these figures, ANC factions, including the EFF, MK, and other smaller parties, still represented a significant force, though divided on issues like land and tribal affiliations.
Key lessons from this election include the importance of long-standing political parties remaining accountable to their electorate. The ANC's defeat highlighted the need for transparency, the implementation of anti-corruption measures, and good governance. Factionalism within the ANC likely contributed to its electoral losses by alienating many voters. Moreover, enduring socio-economic issues like poverty and inadequate public services have undermined trust in the ruling party, emphasizing the necessity for addressing these problems to retain political support. The shifting demographics, including younger and new voters, demand changes and have different expectations from their leaders, indicating that political parties must stay relevant and engage with these groups actively.
The end of ANC's dominance suggests a shift towards a more competitive political landscape, which could enhance accountability and inspire innovative policymaking. New leadership might introduce changes in economic policies aimed at reducing unemployment, improving education and healthcare, and stimulating economic growth. Furthermore, a change in leadership underscores the importance of democratic processes and the role of institutions in protecting democracy. However, transition periods can be unstable, and it is vital for new leaders to manage these changes cautiously to avert social unrest.
Was student activism a contributing factor in the election outcome? I read that there were active student movements surrounding reducing fees for education in the 2010s (Cini, 2019; Mashayamombe & Nomvete, 2021). It would be interesting to see if student activism continued into the 2020s and fostered campaigning in the recent election.
Cini, L. (2019). Disrupting the neoliberal university in South Africa: The #FeesMustFall movement in 2015. Current Sociology, 67(7), 942–959. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011392119865766
Mashayamombe, J., & Nomvete, S. (2021). Leadership and Politics of Belonging in a 2015 FeesMustFall Movement: A Case of UPrising. Politikon, 48(1), 41–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/02589346.2021.1877454
Student movements and labour organizations contribute a lot to the outcome of elections in South Africa. You know that DA is for free markets while ANC is supporting the majority black population even if the current president is center left compare to Zuma and Malema who are far left