It's a year of consequential elections-- UK, US, India, Venezuela etc. South Africa's election is this Wednesday, 29th March.
It's also the most closely contested since universal suffrage in 1994. Polls indicate this is likely to be the first time the ANC will fail to achieve a majority since they took power. South Africa has an extremely high unemployment rate (~40%), failing public services, and the ongoing effects of an epidemic of corruption under the last President.
The parties with the strongest standing are;
ANC - African National Congress, which enjoys a lot of continuing credit for achieving the end of apartheid. Social-democratic. Cyril Ramaphosa's predecessor, Jacob Zuma, has tarnished the party's reputation among some former supporters and younger voters, as he oversaw extraordinarily widespread financial corruption.
DA - Democratic Alliance. Official opposition, economic liberals. Draws its support predominantly from white South Africans and older voters.
EFF - Economic Freedom Fighters. Marxist party that believes black South Africans have won political but not economic independence and freedom. Racist streak-- "we're not calling for the slaughter of white people-- at least not yet", as their leader put it.
uMkhonto weSizwe - formed by Jacob Zuma after leaving the ANC. Zuma retains a chunk of support from former ANC supporters who're further to the left than its current leadership, and who credit him with some major successes like SA's induction to BRICS. Zuma is followed by numerous indictments for fraud and other corruption charges, and critics see this new party as a vehicle to avoid prosecution.
It's also the most closely contested since universal suffrage in 1994. Polls indicate this is likely to be the first time the ANC will fail to achieve a majority since they took power. South Africa has an extremely high unemployment rate (~40%), failing public services, and the ongoing effects of an epidemic of corruption under the last President.
South Africa election poll tracker, results and guide to the parties
Who will form the next government?
www.economist.com
The parties with the strongest standing are;
ANC - African National Congress, which enjoys a lot of continuing credit for achieving the end of apartheid. Social-democratic. Cyril Ramaphosa's predecessor, Jacob Zuma, has tarnished the party's reputation among some former supporters and younger voters, as he oversaw extraordinarily widespread financial corruption.
DA - Democratic Alliance. Official opposition, economic liberals. Draws its support predominantly from white South Africans and older voters.
EFF - Economic Freedom Fighters. Marxist party that believes black South Africans have won political but not economic independence and freedom. Racist streak-- "we're not calling for the slaughter of white people-- at least not yet", as their leader put it.
uMkhonto weSizwe - formed by Jacob Zuma after leaving the ANC. Zuma retains a chunk of support from former ANC supporters who're further to the left than its current leadership, and who credit him with some major successes like SA's induction to BRICS. Zuma is followed by numerous indictments for fraud and other corruption charges, and critics see this new party as a vehicle to avoid prosecution.