Among South Africa’s 27.6 million voters, some are still hopeful that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) will be able to solve the problem of endemic unemployment of 33%, end social inequalities and resolve water and electricity shortages.
However, others are expressing their frustration and are determined to give the opposition a chance.
According to the electoral commission, it is estimated that there will be a “much higher” turnout than in the last parliamentary elections in 2019, when 66% of registered voters turned out.
In the city of Soweto, the President, Cyril Ramaphosa, declared today that there was “no doubt” that the ANC would win the elections.
However, the leader of the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), John Steenhuisen, spoke today of the beginning of a new era.
South Africans will choose from around 50 lists to elect 400 MPs, according to the proportional representation system.
The new National Assembly will then elect the next President in June.
According to political analyst Daniel Silke, “this election is undoubtedly the most unpredictable since 1994”.
“Due to growing disillusionment with the ANC, coupled with a weak economy and numerous corruption scandals, the ruling party is likely to get a result of potentially less than 50%,” said the analyst.
The final results are not expected before the weekend.
Leave a Reply