Kenya Stockholm Blog

The recent South African elections have profoundly disrupted the political status quo, with the African National Congress (ANC) suffering an unprecedented blow by securing only 40% of the votes, a dramatic fall from its 57.5% share in 2019. This historic loss marks the first time the ANC has failed to secure an outright majority, a stark testament to the electorate’s growing disenchantment with the party’s inability to address rampant unemployment, escalating crime, persistent water and electricity shortages, and systemic corruption. The ANC’s dwindling appeal, particularly among younger voters, underscores a broader crisis of confidence in its governance, heralding a seismic shift in the nation’s political landscape.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have solidified their positions as formidable opposition forces, with the DA garnering 22% of the votes and the EFF nearly 15%. The DA’s incremental gains reflect its potential yet highlight its ongoing struggle to broaden its appeal among South Africans. In contrast, the EFF’s radical economic platform has resonated powerfully with the disenfranchised youth. Adding to the electoral upheaval is the unexpected rise of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, formed by former ANC leader Jacob Zuma, which captured approximately 15% of the vote. This fragmentation of the political landscape, with the ANC’s dominance severely undermined and opposition parties gaining ground, sets the stage for a potentially unprecedented coalition government, signaling a profound transformation and a clarion call for genuine political and economic reform in South Africa.

The Proletariat’s Awakening: A Seismic Shift in South Africa’s Political Landscape

The South African elections have heralded a profound transformation, reflecting the proletariat’s burgeoning disillusionment with the ruling African National Congress (ANC). This election marks a seismic shift as voters increasingly gravitate towards the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and their audacious economic agenda. The electorate’s growing support for the EFF signifies a resounding repudiation of the ANC’s neoliberal policies, which have long been criticized for exacerbating inequality and failing to address systemic poverty. The EFF’s rise embodies a clarion call for a more just and equitable distribution of wealth and resources, resonating deeply with a populace yearning for radical change.

This electoral upheaval underscores the proletariat’s demand for a restructured economic paradigm, as championed by the EFF’s Marxist-Leninist principles. The EFF’s platform, advocating for the nationalization of key industries and comprehensive land redistribution, promises to dismantle entrenched economic disparities and empower the marginalized. This shift not only challenges the ANC’s hegemony but also signals an ideological realignment towards socialism, suggesting a potential reconfiguration of South Africa’s socio-economic landscape. The proletariat’s awakening, as evidenced by the EFF’s ascent, portends a transformative era where the quest for economic justice and egalitarianism takes center stage in the national discourse.

The Contradictions of Capitalism: Unmasking the ANC’s Betrayal

The African National Congress (ANC)’s erosion of its majority position in recent elections starkly illuminates its failure to confront the intrinsic contradictions of capitalism, which have long perpetuated the exploitation of the working class and the egregious concentration of wealth among an elite few. By adopting a capitalist-friendly agenda, the ANC has strayed from its revolutionary origins, betraying the foundational aspirations of the masses who yearned for genuine socioeconomic transformation. This ideological drift has not only alienated its traditional support base but also highlighted the party’s inability to address systemic inequalities and deliver on its promises of inclusive growth.

In stark contrast, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have surged to prominence by positioning themselves as the authentic voice of the oppressed. Their ascendancy is a direct consequence of the ANC’s perceived betrayal. The EFF’s Marxist-Leninist platform, advocating for the nationalization of mines, banks, and land redistribution, resonates powerfully with a populace disillusioned by the ANC’s neoliberal policies. This shift signifies a broader ideological realignment in South African politics, where the call for radical economic restructuring and true egalitarianism is gaining momentum. The ANC’s decline and the EFF’s rise underscore a critical juncture in South Africa’s political evolution, heralding a renewed struggle for economic justice and the dismantling of entrenched capitalist structures.

Why the ANC Lost Majority Vote in the 2024 Elections

The ANC’s staggering loss of its majority in the recent South African elections can be traced to a confluence of critical factors that underscore a profound disillusionment among the electorate. Foremost among these is the ANC’s unwavering commitment to neoliberal economic policies, which have starkly failed to address the deep-seated inequalities and uplift the working class. By aligning itself with capitalist-friendly agendas, the ANC has flagrantly betrayed its revolutionary roots, concentrating wealth in the hands of an elite few and perpetuating the very exploitation it once vowed to dismantle. This ideological drift has alienated a significant portion of its base, who now see the party as a relic of unfulfilled promises and systemic inertia.

Simultaneously, the rise of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has provided a formidable alternative to the disenchanted masses. Led by the charismatic and fiery Julius Malema, the EFF has positioned itself as the authentic voice of the oppressed, championing a radical economic agenda aimed at dismantling the vestiges of capitalism and redistributing wealth. This bold platform has resonated powerfully with voters in key battlegrounds such as Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, and the Northern Cape provinces. The EFF’s surge in popularity is a testament to its successful tapping into the electorate’s growing frustration with the status quo, offering a vision of economic emancipation that the ANC has woefully failed to deliver.

Compounding these issues are the pervasive perceptions of corruption and poor governance that have plagued the ANC administration. The party’s lowest national vote share since 1994 is a clear reflection of the electorate’s burgeoning disillusionment with its leadership. Scandals and inefficiencies have further eroded support, particularly in traditional strongholds where opposition parties like the EFF have made significant inroads. In essence, the ANC’s loss of majority can be attributed to its inability to uphold its foundational promises of economic liberation, thereby creating a fertile ground for the EFF’s radical populist agenda to captivate the hearts and minds of disaffected voters, especially in urban and working-class areas. This electoral outcome signals a pivotal shift in South Africa’s political landscape, where the demand for true economic justice and systemic overhaul has become unmistakably urgent.

The Complicated Act of Forming Alliances with Other Parties

Forming alliances for the African National Congress (ANC) after the 2024 elections, where it disastrously lost its parliamentary majority, is an exceedingly intricate endeavor fraught with ideological discord and historical animosities. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the two main opposition parties that have surged forward, are ideologically poles apart from the ANC. The DA’s market-oriented, center-right stance stands in stark contrast to the EFF’s call for radical economic overhaul and uncompensated land expropriation. The ANC’s steadfast commitment to black economic empowerment and National Health Insurance further complicates potential alliances, particularly with the DA. An alliance with the EFF, although ideologically closer, risks inflaming social tensions and destabilizing governance due to the EFF’s populist, anti-establishment fervor.

Historical tensions add another layer of complexity to the ANC’s coalition-building efforts. The EFF, birthed from the ANC’s own expelled members, including the contentious Julius Malema, shares a bitter history with the ruling party. This contentious past clouds the potential for a harmonious coalition. Meanwhile, the DA, often perceived as representing white and minority interests, faces trust issues with the ANC’s predominantly black support base, deepening the chasm between the parties. The opposition’s fragmentation further muddies the waters, with the DA allying with ten smaller parties, excluding the EFF and the MK party, born of Jacob Zuma’s faction. This division within the opposition prevents the formation of a cohesive front capable of decisively challenging the ANC.

The ANC’s internal disarray exacerbates these challenges, as the party grapples with its own factions and divisions that undermine its negotiating power and stability. Aligning with splinter groups like the MK party, loyal to Zuma, risks intensifying these internal conflicts. The absence of a clear majority for any party necessitates prolonged and fraught negotiations, leading to potential instability. The ANC’s endeavor to form a stable coalition is thus a herculean task, entangled in a web of ideological disparities, historical grievances, fragmented opposition forces, and internal discord. This precarious situation underscores the profound difficulties the ANC faces in navigating the treacherous terrain of coalition politics, raising the specter of political instability in South Africa’s future.

In the final analysis, South African elections have starkly underscored the ANC’s dramatic decline, with the party securing only 40% of the vote, a significant drop from its previous dominance, signaling widespread disillusionment with its governance amid economic and social crises. Concurrently, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has solidified its position as a robust opposition, capturing 22% of the vote, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have emerged as a formidable force, resonating with nearly 15% of the electorate through their radical economic agenda. This seismic shift highlights a transformative moment in South African politics, where the ANC’s diminished hegemony paves the way for a potential coalition government and an intensified demand for genuine political and economic reform.

Okoth Osewe