As South Africa’s vote count proceeds following a delay in the planned 9 pm (19:00 GMT) Wednesday deadline, early election results have been released with the African National Congress (ANC) holding the lead at 43.51 percent, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 24.65 percent, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at 8.85 percent. The final results are not expected until Sunday, with delays attributed to malfunctioning voter management devices and insufficient personnel training.
Main Issues Impacting South Africans
Several critical issues are at the forefront of voters’ minds this election cycle:
Jobs and Unemployment: The jobless rate in South Africa stood at 32.4 percent in 2023, a stark increase from nearly 10 points higher than in 1994 when the ANC first came to power. Young people are disproportionately affected, with more than 40 percent of the country’s youth unemployed.
Economic Growth: The sluggish economic growth has been identified as the root cause of the joblessness crisis. The economy has barely grown over the past decade, averaging a mere 0.8 percent growth since 2012.
Power Cuts: Known locally as “load-shedding,” the scheduled power cuts imposed by the state utility Eskom have severely affected households and businesses alike. These power cuts are due to Eskom’s inability to generate sufficient electricity to meet demand.
Corruption: Numerous corruption scandals involving ANC figures or their associates have led to a widespread perception that governmental greed contributes to inadequate service delivery.
Crime: South Africa faces one of the highest rates of violent crime globally, particularly in the densely populated townships on city peripheries where many Black working-class citizens reside.
Immigration: The 2022 census revealed that 2.4 million of South Africa’s 62 million population were immigrants, a significant increase from 835,000 in 1996, the year the post-apartheid constitution was implemented.
Election Day Delays and Counting Progress
Western Cape electoral officer Michael Hendrickse reported significant delays in voting at some polling stations, with the last station in Parklands, Cape Town, closing at about 1 am (23:00 GMT). By 10 am (08:00 GMT), 23.66 percent of votes in the Western Cape had been counted. These delays, attributed to issues with voter management devices, personnel, and training, are expected to extend the ballot counting process, particularly in densely populated metro areas.
Julius Malema and the EFF’s Potential Influence
Julius Malema, the leader of the EFF, could become a pivotal figure if the ANC loses its majority. The EFF, known for its anti-establishment, Marxist, and Pan-Africanist stance, focuses on the rights of Black South Africans and criticizes the ANC for neglecting this demographic. Malema, a controversial figure due to his radical and occasionally violent rhetoric, advocates for policies such as redistributing land from the white minority to Black citizens and nationalizing privately owned mines.
Malema’s history with the ANC, including his rise to prominence as the ANC Youth League leader in 2008 and subsequent expulsion in 2012, adds a layer of intrigue to the current political landscape. His formation of the EFF in 2013 solidified his position as a significant challenger to the ANC’s long-standing dominance.
Looking Ahead
As South Africans await the final election results, the nation’s pressing issues of unemployment, economic stagnation, power cuts, corruption, crime, and immigration remain at the forefront of political discourse. The outcome of this election could herald significant changes in the country’s political and social fabric, particularly if the EFF gains enough influence to become a kingmaker in a potential coalition government.
