South Africa’s Election 2024 Countdown: Challenges, Candidates, and Future Scenarios

Growing criticism of the party that led the fight against apartheid under the late Nelson Mandela has eroded its support, raising the prospect of a coalition government.

When is the polling in South Africa?

Over 28 million South African registered voters will vote on 29 May to elect their representatives.

This will be the 7th democratic general election. These have taken place every five years since 1994, when white-minority rule ended and the ANC came to power.

The political party ANC, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is facing increasing pressure from voters of SA. High unemployment, which reached 32% last year, ongoing economic inequalities, corruption accusations, and frequent power outages have hurt its popularity. High levels of violent crime, with an average of 130 rapes and 80 murders per day in the last three months of 2023, have also shaken people’s trust in the authorities.

However, the ANC is trying to work and trying to convince people. The party is asking people to remember the progress of the past. They are highlighting positive parts of their working tenure like that dropped poverty rates, improved healthcare, and good shelter.

The ANC has pledged to create millions of jobs in the next five years, boost investment, and support the private sector.

Who is in the opposition?

The big opposition party of ANC is the Democratic Alliance (DA). They are saying that the country is in crisis.

DA is asking for votes by presenting ideas for creating new jobs, ending power cuts, and ending crime within the country.

Another political party is  Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Their focus is on radical economic imbalances and they are talking about nationalizing banks, mines, and other parts of the economy.

What are the predictions for the next South Africa?

There are no presidential candidates in the election.

In South Africa, the 400 members of the National Assembly vote, and the people of the National Assembly vote for the President of South Africa within 30 days.

The expected contest is between President Ramaphosa of the ANC, John Steenhuisen of the DA and Julius Malema of the EFF.

The leader of whichever party performs well and wins the majority of seats in the National Assembly can become the next President of South Africa.