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The 2024 national and provincial election results, as they stand with 60% of votes counted, depict a significant decline in support for the African National Congress (ANC), potentially signaling a historic shift as the party drops below 50% for the first time since 1994, News24 reports. With projections aligning closely with the official results, the ANC is forecasted to secure just 40% of the vote, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) and former president Jacob Zuma’s Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party are positioned at 23.3% and 11.3%, respectively. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) leaderboard highlights the ANC’s struggle to maintain dominance, with other parties like the MK making notable showings.

Image credit: IEC, X

According to News24, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma and leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, has ruled out a coalition with the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal. She stated that her father, leading the MK Party, is open to collaborating with “progressive black parties,” excluding the ANC led by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Zuma-Sambudla hinted at a potential collaboration with the EFF but remained non-committal about the possibility of working with the IFP, a significant contender in the province. The IFP, part of the Multi-Party Charter along with the DA and other smaller parties, already cooperates with the DA in several KZN municipalities.

Despite being relatively new, the MK Party has seen impressive electoral results, aligning with their prior efforts. While final decisions on potential alliances lie with former president Zuma, who is expected to visit the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s results centre soon, projections suggest a significant shift in KZN politics. News24 projections indicate the ANC may lose its majority in the province, possibly leading to national repercussions as support for the ANC appears to have declined across all provinces.

Image credit: Emacous Photography_24 (MK Twitter page)

According to Times Live, as the sixth administration of the ANC-led government nears its conclusion, ANC member Naledi Pandor advocates for the re-election of Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC, emphasizing the need to maintain ideological coherence within the party. Pandor, who holds the position of minister of international relations and co-operation in Ramaphosa’s cabinet, asserts that the ANC has significantly transformed South Africa for the better. She expresses confidence in Ramaphosa’s leadership, citing his actions against corruption and his efforts to revitalize the ANC. Pandor warns against the potential disruptions that a coalition government could bring, arguing that it would impede the party’s ability to drive transformation and make decisive decisions.

Meanwhile, anticipation builds as the Electoral Commission of South Africa prepares to announce the new government later this week, with vote counting set to commence after the conclusion of voting on Wednesday night. Despite the ANC’s historical dominance in national elections, voter support for the party has been steadily declining since 2009. While they secured 57.5% of the votes in the previous elections, further erosion of support is anticipated, with the possibility of a coalition government looming on the horizon, according to some forecasts.

Poll: In light of the upcoming elections in South Africa, what do you think is the best course of action for voters?

IOL delves into the contentious allegations levied by former President Zuma against the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), claiming they obstructed an interview conducted on May 22. Zuma contended that this obstruction was part of a broader selective media ban targeting him. In response, the SABC vehemently denied these accusations, asserting their consistent coverage of Zuma’s political outfit, the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, since its inception. They underscored their ongoing efforts to engage with Zuma’s team for interviews, citing their extensive coverage of the party’s activities, including a rally held on May 18, 2024.

Furthermore, the SABC provided a detailed account of the events surrounding the purportedly blocked interview on May 22. According to their statement, Zuma’s team had contacted them to cover an announcement in Durban. While the SABC agreed to provide coverage and allocated time for the event, they noted that Zuma’s team was given less than 10 minutes for the interview and instructed not to pose any questions. Despite these limitations, Zuma reportedly reiterated statements made during the preceding rally, which had already been extensively covered by the SABC. This incident underscores the ongoing friction between media organizations and political figures, emphasizing the paramount importance of transparent and ethical journalism in upholding democratic principles.

According to News24, the DA accuses Rise Mzansi of exploiting racial tensions in the Western Cape ahead of the elections. Rise Mzansi, in response, calls out the DA’s governance and criticizes its leaders. The DA argues that Rise Mzansi’s focus on identity politics widens societal gaps, while Rise Mzansi claims to strive for a united South Africa.

What is your view on the DA’s accusation against Rise Mzansi? Vote in the poll below.

According to Times Live, The African National Congress (ANC) has pledged to implement the Basic Income Grant (BIG) within two years if re-elected. BIG aims to replace the temporary Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD) introduced during the pandemic. There’s debate over the amount of BIG, with suggestions ranging from R1,000 to R1,500. The ANC plans to fund BIG through taxpayer money and explore various funding options. It will supplement existing welfare grants and benefit vulnerable individuals without job-seeking conditions.

As the May 29th voting day approaches, we’re curious: do you already have your party in mind? But don’t worry if you’re still deciding – we’re here to help.

Did you know we have a dedicated election category (view here) to keep you informed about the upcoming elections and real-time results as they unfold? Stay tuned for updates.

Now, let us know where you stand and vote below.

Ready to voice your opinion on the latest political showdown? Dive into our poll and let your thoughts be heard on the recent below-the-belt marketing SMS campaign between the DA and Rise Mzansi! Your perspective matters, so take a moment to participate and make your mark on the discussion.

We invite you to share your opinion on a pressing matter concerning Jacob Zuma, the former president of South Africa. Recently, the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) disqualified Zuma from standing for public office based on section 47(1)(e) of the Constitution. This decision has sparked a heated debate regarding the interpretation of the law and its implications on democratic rights. Now, we seek your input on whether Jacob Zuma should indeed be disqualified from holding public office. Please take a moment to express your viewpoint by participating in the following poll.