Change in South Africa
Here’s how the ANC has done in every post-Apartheid election.
- 1994: 63%
- 1999: 66%
- 2004: 70%
- 2009: 66%
- 2014: 62%
- 2019: 58%
- 2024: 40%
This is a good thing for South Africa. With the possible exceptions of Japan and Singapore, parties that constantly stay in power become corrupt. If you can’t lose, your incentives are different. And the ANC has been very corrupt.
The ANC will remain in Government but for the first time ever will need coalition partners. Who might they be:
- Democratic Alliance 22%
- uMkhonto we Sizwe 15%
- Economic Freedom Fighters 9%
- Inkatha Freedom Party 4%
- Patriotic Alliance 2%
- Freedom Front Plus 1%
- ActionSA 1%
The DA is a centrist liberal party, mainly supported by non-blacks. It emerged from apartheid era anti-apartheid parties. Their policies include 60,000 more police officers, and they are broadly pro-Western.
uMkhonto we Sizwe is led by former President Jacob Zuma, who makes other corrupt politicians look like amateurs. It is socialist, populist and socially conservative. It supports land confiscation without compensation.
The EFF is led by former ANC Youth President Julius Malema. It is a communist party that supports land confiscation, nationalising mines and banks, doubling welfare benefits and the minimum wage.
The IFP is a Conservative Party mainly supported by Zulus. It is anti-immigration.
The PA is a right wing party, mainly supported by Coloureds. Also anti-immigration.
FF Plus is a right wing party mainly supported by Afrikaans.
Action SA is a classical liberal party.
The DA would be the best choice for moderate policies. But far from clear who the ANC prefers. An interesting time.