Why 30 Years of ANC Majority Rule is Over, and What's Next for South Africa
Why did the ANC lose its long-held majority? As they headed to the polls to cast their verdict on the ANC for the seventh time since 1994, South Africans had a lot to complain about. A stubbornly high unemployment rate, which officially hit 32.9% last year but in reality is much higher; persistent economic inequalities; rampant corruption, and a lack of public service delivery, particularly in poorer areas, all contributed to the dethroning of the ANC.
Story by Debora Patta • 1h • 4 min read
Johannesburg — On April 27, 1994, Black and White South Africans voted side by side for a new government for the first time in the country's history. Nelson Mandela's party, the African National Congress (ANC) had defeated apartheid and ushered in a new democratic era.
The ANC swept to power with ease and Mandela became South Africa's first Black president to the delight of a mostly adoring country. Now, 30 years later, the party that brought democracy to South Africa has been defeated by it.
National election results announced over the weekend saw the ANC lose the electoral majority it had won in every round of voting since Mandela came to power on that historic day three decades ago.
Why did the ANC lose its long-held majority?
As they headed to the polls to cast their verdict on the ANC for the seventh time since 1994, South Africans had a lot to complain about.
An African National Congress (ANC) supporter holds a poster of former President Nelson Mandela during the ANC Election Manifesto launch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, in a Feb. 24, 2024 file photo. / Credit: RAJESH JANTILAL/AFP/Getty© Provided by CBS News
A stubbornly high unemployment rate, which officially hit 32.9% last year but in reality is much higher; persistent economic inequalities; rampant corruption, and a lack of public service delivery, particularly in poorer areas, all contributed to the dethroning of the ANC.
Then there were the frequent power cuts. Intermittent outages have been a near-constant for well over a year.
There's also a soaring crime rate, with 130 murders and 80 rapes documented every single day in the last quarter of 2023.
Together, all these factors dented confidence in the long-ruling party, and the result was a slap in the face for the ANC, which garnered just 40.2 percent of the votes — well below the more than 50% needed to remain in power.
What comes next for South Africa?
Instead, the ANC has two weeks to negotiate a new power-sharing government with members of other parties. This could take the form of either a coalition with a smaller party, or a government of national unity, which would see multiple parties get roles in a unified cabinet.
The options available could not be more different.
The second largest share of the votes, 21.8%, went to the official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), which has been on the political scene since the dawn of South Africa's democracy and historically was a merger between the former apartheid rulers, the National Party, and liberal Whites who participated in the old apartheid regime but criticized the country's racist policies.
The DA wants to liberalize the national economy, including a move toward greater privatization, but it is dogged by a credibility issue — perceived by many Black South Africans to be a mostly white, middle-class party that doesn't care about the poor.
Then there's the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, which exploded onto the political scene at the end of last year. It's made up of former disgruntled ANC members and led by the disgraced former President of South Africa Jacob Zuma, who faces multiple corruption charges and was already sent to prison briefly in 2021 for defying a court order to testify at a corruption inquiry.
As a convicted felon, Zuma cannot run for office, but he remains the face of the party and helped MK snatch 14.9% of the vote away from the ANC by appealing to Zulu nationalism.
Like every election since democracy arrived in South Africa, this one has been declared objectively free and fair by observers. But that hasn't stopped Zuma casting doubt on the results, including with public claims of vote-rigging, without providing any evidence.
On Sunday, the former leader issued an ominous warning.
"The results are not correct," he said. "Results should not be declared. If you're declaring, you're provoking us. Don't start trouble."
MK's manifesto is anti-constitutional. It speaks about nationalizing the SA Reserve Bank and holding a referendum on scrapping the constitution completely.
The attacks on the election results appear aimed at denting the credibility of the vote and creating uncertainty. But Zuma is also fighting for his survival — desperate to avoid his corruption trial which could very well send him back to jail.
Lagging behind MK was another ANC breakaway party, the Economic Freedom Front (EFF), which argues that the ANC has not redressed the racial economic imbalances of apartheid. It wants to redistribute land to the less well-off and nationalize mines, banks, and other key parts of the economy. But it made no gains in this election, instead dropping to 9.5% for a fourth place finish.
An EFF poster is seen outside a polling station in Hopetown, Northern Cape province, South Africa, May 29, 2024. / Credit: Jeremy Suyker/Bloomberg/Getty© Provided by CBS News
The ANC could attempt to form a coalition with either the DA or the EFF and another smaller party, or even with MK, although it's unlikely that Zuma would agree to this unless the ANC boots out its leader, incumbent South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, which seems just as unlikely, at least for now.
The unity option — a possible reset for South Africa?
As an alternative, a government of national unity would see a grand multi-party coalition, and possibly provide a reset for South Africa.
Despite this country's multitude of problems and a poor voter turnout compared to previous years, democracy still holds strong in South Africa.
The election was mostly peaceful and South Africans actually sent a clear message by giving no single party a mandate to govern.
Gracious in defeat, Ramaphosa said the people's will was clear, and he accepted the results.
"Our people have spoken, whether we like it or not," said Ramaphosa. "Through their votes they have demonstrated clearly and plainly that our democracy is strong, that our democracy is robust and enduring."
Mosotho Moepya (left), chairman of the Election Commission, announces the results of the election and declares them free and fair before handing over to President Cyril Ramaphosa (center) at the National Result Operation Centre (ROC) at Gallagher Estate, June 2, 2024 in Midrand, South Africa. / Credit: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty© Provided by CBS News
He said it seemed clear that South Africans want their leaders, from across the political spectrum, to find common ground and work together.
The cheerful goodwill could evaporate to some degree amid the cut and thrust of coalition-making, but the process has revealed a constitutional democracy that's more robust than the chaos Zuma's party seems to be hoping for.
The next 15 days will be crucial in shaping a government that serves the people of South Africa, and hopefully returns some trust in its political leaders.
Time for a New Era
The call for change is not just a desire but a necessity if we're to break free from the shackles of the past and chart a new course for our nation. Let us heed this call and embrace the promise of a better tomorrow, with integrity and progress reigning supreme. In the heart of Sierra Leone's political landscape lies a deep-seated yearning for change. Far too long, our nation has been held hostage by the grip of aging politicians who have failed to deliver on their promises and have instead perpetuated a cycle of despair and disillusionment.
Op-Ed: Alpha Amadu Jalloh (The FOX: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 12 March 2024
Sierra Leone call to replace old politicians with fresh faces —
Op—Ed
The power to shape our destiny lies in our hands. Let us not squander the opportunity for change. But seize it with both hands and forge a path towards a brighter future for generations to come.
In the heart of Sierra Leone's political landscape lies a deep-seated yearning for change. Far too long, our nation has been held hostage by the grip of aging politicians who have failed to deliver on their promises and have instead perpetuated a cycle of despair and disillusionment.
Time for a new chapter, a chapter, written by the hands of the young and genuine, who possess the vigor and integrity to lead our country forward.
The Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and the All Peoples Congress (APC), two pillars of our political framework, have long been dominated by the same faces. Faces that have become synonymous with stagnation and corruption.
Politicians, who have been entrenched in power for decades, have grown out of touch with the aspirations and needs of the people they are meant to serve. Their presence has stifled innovation and progress, leaving our nation languishing in the shadows of its potential.
As Sierra Leoneans, we must come to terms with the reality that the status quo is no longer acceptable. We cannot continue to allow our future to be dictated by those who have failed us time and again. The time has come for the old guard to step aside and make room for fresh perspectives and untainted ideals.
It is undeniable that Sierra Leone is blessed with a wealth of young talent and genuine individuals who possess the passion and dedication to bring about real change. These are the voices that deserve to be heard. The voices that can breathe new life into our political landscape and usher in an era of prosperity and progress for all.
However, the path to change will not be easy. The entrenched interests of the old guard will undoubtedly resist any attempts to loosen their grip on power. But we, the people of Sierra Leone, must stand firm in our resolve and demand accountability from those who claim to represent us.
We must reject the notion that politics is a game reserved for the elite few, and instead embrace a more inclusive and representative democracy. Every Sierra Leonean deserves a seat at the table, and only by working together, that we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
The time for complacency is over. We must seize the moment, as an opportunity to redefine our nation’s destiny and reclaim our rightful place among the community of nations. Let us come together, young and old, to build a brighter future for all Sierra Leoneans.
Finally, the call for change is not just a desire, but a necessity if we are to break free from the shackles of the past and chart a new course for our nation. Let us heed this call and embrace the promise of a better tomorrow, with integrity and progress reigning supreme.
Sierra Leoneans, the power to shape our destiny lies in our hands. Let us not squander this opportunity for change but rather seize it with both hands and forge a path towards a brighter future for generations to come.
Source: Op-Ed: Abdul Rashid Thomas | Alpha Amadu Jalloh (The FOX: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 12 March 2024
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“We asked for little, but so much is taken away from us. People had hopes ‘Here comes our Robin Hood,’ instead, it turned out to be Animal Farm.”
Now, these statements are more relevant than when he says them.
The Paran Affair
A Microcosm of Sierra Leone's Political Entitlement
How those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pigs—pervert the democratic process. An embedded narrative, in which the characters become the story. George Orwell, Animal Farm.
Animal Farm as Relates to Humans and Society
How those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pigs—pervert the democratic process. An embedded narrative, in which the characters become the story.
—power has swallowed politicians’ common sense
Yumkella Shocks No One
Former Flag Bearer of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) Honorable. Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella finally resigned from the party and switched over to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
He wrote, ‘My late wife Philomena and I have always believed that the NGC Party was not meant to be “MY” party but rather a vehicle and an institution for change.'
(C) Culled; Monday, October 16, 2023
Op—Ed Culled ‘Rasta Rambles
‘My late wife Philomena and I have always believed that the NGC Party was not meant to be “MY” party but rather a vehicle and an institution for change.'
Former Flag Bearer of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) Honorable. Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella finally resigned from the party and switched over to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
The inevitable can’t be resisted, even in the best of faith. Yumkella formally resigned from the NGC to return to the SLPP. No one’s shocked. What alliances? It was always a game for him and those who did his maneuvering.
Yumkella played and disrespected his colleagues and supporters from start to finish. How can you resign from a junior partner you led into a coalition only to defect to the majority partner with such callousness?
Hurling further insult at those who were prepared to take bullets for him, he wrote, ‘My late wife Philomena and I have always believed that the NGC Party was not meant to be “my” party but rather a vehicle and an institution for change’.
What an ingrate. They sped up, almost put that thing together for him! Now he’s disowned it.
He not only undermined the NGC’s genuine momentum-building efforts but plotted its fatality. The final blow was joining it with the SLPP months before an election. The NGC got wiped out. Three months later, he resigned. He publicly humiliated those who stayed with him when Dr. Dennis Bright and others left the party in disgust at his selfishness.
But, of course, the plan played out as he wanted. He’s got a job in government. The NGC is deceased, and therefore sod his supporters and those who tied their political ambitions to what they thought was a credible party.
To think that a lot of people saw Yumkella as a positive departure from the rotten political class is perhaps the greatest misplacement of trust in Sierra Leone’s politics.
Suddenly, the realization couldn’t be more pronounced: Yumkella is the archetype, the sample of the Sierra Leonean politician: prioritizing himself and the cult of personality ahead of building and operating within institutional integrity.
Just like a common sycophant, ‘Enti Fos Lady dae for witness,’ he sought validation from the president’s unelected missus while addressing the party faithful in rhetoric. He knows too well, that the people he’s talking to, out of desperation for better lives, would cheer anything but have zero stake in government. But he’s fooling them anyway. Telling them the government is answerable to them. Until a sentence later, the mask slipped. He title-checked the real boss, the person those in the current government are under oath to submit to: Bio’s wife.
Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella (KKY) returns to his roots
Even the visually impaired and the cognitively challenged can read Yumkella’s simplistic rationale for destroying the NGC. He thinks he’s Bio’s successor in the SLPP’s next leadership race and as president after 2028. In his thinking, even the opposition does not exist. Somebody should read him something about Hilary Clinton’s arrogance against Obama and her eventual defeat by Donald Trump. If that’s pushing it, he can read the story leading up to the 2018 elections, where he was a Major protagonist.
But it’s Sierra Leone. The government is the judiciary, the police, the army, and most importantly, the electoral commission.
Related Share
Rented Crowds! Fried Chicken and Chips. How Rallies in Political Campaign in Africa Shaping Up
The incident showcased in the video and; the journalists' commentary highlights a complex interplay of political engagement, socioeconomic factors, and public perception.
The journalist's suggests that the video provides evidence for a long-held suspicion: the people attending these rallies, especially those from rural areas, are primarily motivated by the promise of free food. After eating chicken and chips, they walk away and wait in the buses.
Source: Twitter
Zimbabwe 80-Year-Old President, Emmerson Mnangagwa
August 20, 2023
The convergence of free sustenance, repeated speeches, and the challenge of addressing essential needs like electricity in rural areas underscores the multifaceted nature of political events and their implications for the populace.
The candidate of the ruling Zanu-PF party, nicknamed 'The Crocodile,’ because of his callousness and more autocratic than his predecessor, analysts judge him as lacking Mugabes' intellectual flair and ideological vision, seek to cement his leadership on Wednesday, August 23, 2023; election few expect to be free and fair.
In a recent development from Zimbabwe, a journalist has taken to Twitter to share a revealing video that sheds light on an intriguing aspect of political rallies in the country.
The video, which was allegedly suppressed, captures a significant scene of multitudes of Zimbabweans leaving a speech by President Mnangagwa while he was addressing the public.
The journalist's tweet suggests that the video provides evidence for a long-held suspicion: the people attending these rallies, especially those from rural areas, are primarily motivated by the promise of free food.
The scene depicted in the video portrays individuals partaking in a meal of chicken and chips provided at the event before subsequently departing from the venue.
The claim is that these attendees, often transported via buses to these rallies, have possibly become familiar with the President's speeches due to repeated attendance at various rallies.
Interestingly, the journalist raises a poignant question in relation to the content of the President's speech. The question revolves around the paradox of celebrating the provision of electricity to rural communities that have previously lacked access to it. _a familiar talking point in African politics.
This juxtaposition prompts contemplation on the significance of such speeches and the genuine impact of the announcements on the lives of the rural population.
The incident showcased in the video and; the journalists' commentary highlights a complex interplay of political engagement, socioeconomic factors, and public perception. The convergence of free sustenance, repeated speeches, and the challenge of addressing essential needs like electricity in rural areas underscores the multifaceted nature of political events and their implications for the populace.
Tagged: Twitter
98.1 Radio Democracy Journalist, Musa Kamara Receives Threat Over Interview With US Ambassador
“I have been dramatic in the last 24 hours since that my interview with the outgoing US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer.”
The outcome of the elections currently harbors an impasse between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party and the main opposition party, All People’s Congress (APC) The APC has boycotted government and governance citing statistical inconsistencies with the announced results.
Related Share: U.S. Embassy Position on the Sierra Leone Election Results and the Country's Economy; Ambassador Reimers' announcement on Radio Democracy 98.1. (Last Updated August 16, 2023; 7:35 AM EST.)
“I have been dramatic in the last 24 hours since that my interview with the outgoing US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer.”
August 18, 2023
A senior journalist at Radio Democracy, Musa Kamara said he has received several threats following a controversial interview with the US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer.
“I have been dramatic in the last 24 hours since that my interview with the outgoing US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer,” Kamara said.
He added that he has received several threatening remarks on social media and personal text messages. He noted that the threats are a cause for concern and notified the radio station’s management and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ).
“Going forward I feel scared to do the job I love,” Kamara said in an interview with Sierraloaded.
Kamara’s interview with Ambassador Reimer was leaked on Wednesday. In the interview, Reimer said the United States is concerned about the 24 June election results. He added that they want an independent institution to investigate the results.
The 2023 elections are believed to be one of the most controversial multitier elections Sierra Leone has conducted in recent times.
The outcome of the elections currently harbors an impasse between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party and the main opposition party, All People’s Congress (APC) The APC has boycotted government and governance citing statistical inconsistencies with the announced results.
Tagged: #Sierraloaded
Refer to the audio at https://yame.space/whats-up-africalinks/us-government-rejects-election-outcome-in-sierra-leone-as-mayor-aki-sawyerr-discloses-rigged-results
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U.S. Embassy Position on the Sierra Leone Election Results and the Country's Economy; Ambassador Reimers' announcement on Radio Democracy 98.1. (Last Updated August 16, 2023; 7:35 AM EST.)