The African National Congress (ANC), South Africa’s ruling party for 30 years and the former liberation movement led by Nelson Mandela, is on the verge of losing its parliamentary majority.
Partial election results from Thursday indicate a significant decline in support. With 42.1% of polling stations reporting, the ANC has secured only 42.7% of the votes, down from 57.5% in the 2019 election.
Struggling to Maintain Dominance Amid Challenges
The ANC’s potential loss marks a pivotal moment in South African politics. The party, which has won every national election since the historic 1994 vote that ended apartheid, is now struggling to form a majority government.
This decline in support stems from multiple issues, including corruption scandals, economic stagnation, and increasing unemployment and poverty.
These problems have led to widespread dissatisfaction among South Africans, who are also grappling with deteriorating infrastructure and frequent power outages.
Analysts suggest that the ANC may be forced to form coalitions with smaller parties to maintain power. This necessity could lead to a more fragmented political landscape, with multiple parties competing for influence for the first time in post-apartheid South Africa.
The ANC’s decision on whether to form these coalitions or face opposition from rivals will shape the future of the nation’s governance.
