1994 saw the promise of a new era in South Africa with Nelson Mandela’s declaration that the people of South Africa want change, and change is what they will get. After more than 300 years of white rule, in South Africa’s first ever fully represented democratic elections, the African National Congress (ANC) won 252 of the 400 seats, making Mandela the first-ever black President of the country.
The ANC has successfully won every general election since 1994. In the 2009 polls, the ANC managed another landslide win, yet failed to get the two-thirds parliamentary majority it so easily pulled off in previous elections. Staged amid huge political drama with a hostile breakaway faction, was the 2009 election outcome the first dent in a possible dethronement of the ANC? Let’s delve deeper.
The ANC rule in South Africa
From 1994 until now, here’s what South Africa has gone through economically, socially and politically.
- Economically, South Africa did well during the last few quarters before the recession, experiencing an average growth of more than 5 percent, largely attributed to the then-leader Thabo Mbeki’s astuteness.
- Over time the ANC has built 2.8 million houses and provided basic necessities to the poor. Yet, due to sub-standard construction, many homes are unliveable. More than one million poor still live in shacks.
- Despite growth, the promise of a “changed” nation has actually unveiled a situation of things gone horribly wrong – unemployment levels at their highest, villages grappling with problems such as HIV Aids, crime, poverty and even hunger.
- While the poorest all-black population still remain poverty ridden, there is a “reverse apartheid” in play. The ANC has been accused of creating an environment to benefit black individuals in power and black-owned companies, largely ignoring the minority white population.
- After years in power, in 2008, the ANC sacked Thabo Mbeki as the country's president.
- The ANC image was tarnished; its leader Jacob Zuma even faced corruption and fraud charges, magically dropped two weeks before the elections.
- South Africa will be hosting the Football World Cup in 2010, with billions allocated to the tournament. Many feel it could be put to better use to relieve the poverty.
The other political parties and the 2009 elections
- ANC’s breakaway party, Congress of the People (Cope) is formed by former ANC members who quit after Thabo Mbeki was sacked as president. Cope portrays itself as a “clean” party, promising honest leadership. Its membership grew by half a million within weeks of its formation in October 2008. For a party that is only four months old, Cope did well in the 2009 elections – though it won just under 7.5 percent of the votes, it nevertheless managed 30 seats in the National Assembly.
- The other players:
a) The opposition party Democratic Alliance has a stronghold in the Western Cape and enjoys the support of South Africans of mixed race and white South Africans. It did considerably well, bagging 50 parliamentary seats, performing better than ever.
b) In all, about 22 other parties contested the 2009 national elections, but fared dismally, perhaps due to the entry of Cope.
The truth remains that the ANC’s rival parties are still quite weak, but the biggest fear for the ANC is what they can collectively do. And that fear was not unfounded. Despite winning votes, the ANC has lost 33 seats, losing its majority by a couple of notches.
The real outcome
With the ANC back in power, many would say that nothing has changed. Not true. The ANC’s victory is conclusive, yes, but the emergence of Cope and the strengthening stance of DA have done what true democracy should do. With a hawkeyed opposition watching its every move, Jacob Zuma has no choice but to read the tell-tale signs of dents made in his party’s credentials, and to give South Africans a better life, finally.
Also see:
Wikipedia on 2009 South African elections
CNN on 2009 South African elections
THE DA IS NOT THE SOLUTION
The DA is a multi-racial party to the extent that they allow for non-white members and welcome non-white votes. Essentially though, the DA is still aligned against the needs of the broad majority by favouring mostly the white elite and bourgeiouse interests. Included is their bizarre favouritism for western establishment reforms, which have proven detructive and highly hypocritical in an increasingly globalised world.
Lets not forget the way they take advantage of Afrikaans speaking coloureds by racialising constituencies and presenting polarising the nations discussion. I think they are an anti-African, pro-Capitalist party and they wreak of historical subversive European agenda. They need to change more than the ANC needs to change.
STRENGTHEN THE ROLE OF THE ANC AT GRASSROOTS
Losing 'power' timeously is much more dangerous than losing it in one go. Using the media to 'condition' people to the character of those in power (and in particular the focus on our President Zuma, makes them lose focus of who the person really is and what the person stands for (whether in office or in a cultural / social sphere).
By the time people move to the polls, their minds have already been conditioned by ±65% on who / what to vote for for and not really at WHO HAS THEIR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART.
We have to wake up and involve ourselves on the grassroots level so that we don't lose touch with the voters.
STRENGTHEN THE ROLE OF THE ANC AT GRASSROOTS
Losing 'power' timeously is much more dangerous than losing it in one go. Using the media to 'condition' people to the character of those in power (and in particular the focus on our President Zuma, makes them lose focus of who the person really is and what the person stands for (whether in office or in a cultural / social sphere).
By the time people move to the polls, their minds have already been conditioned by ±65% on who / what to vote for for and not really at WHO HAS THEIR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART.
We have to wake up and involve ourselves on the grassroots level so that we don't lose touch with the voters.
Mr Jacob Zumah marry only one woman
Jacob Zumah must know that we have millenium and global world and why marrying three wifes? Iam telling him that if he do that then he is the foolish president in Africa.Do issues like soweto and build many buildings for them and stop two legs good and four legs bad.Animal farm by George Orwell.
dont discriminate
Let me tell u sir, Mr Jacob Zuma is a man of his own culture and his culture alows him to marry many wives...... he will not leave his cultural background because of people who are always complaining in actual fact the pple of SA only focus on the bad things done by Zuma and not on the good things......................... u pple u dnt knoe wats right for you, he is a person like u and dont descriminate him
Re: Mr Jacob Zuma
Mr Jacob Zuma is part of a democratic country and he is entitled to do as he wishes that is why we have what we call a democracy, he is only expressing his right as a South African citizen so leave the man alone he is only human at the end of the day!!
Is Zumas Marriage really the issue?
I'm never surprised when people start the character assassinations. The broad socio-economic realities and the burden of the developing nation dilemma weighs so heavily on our conscience, but people prefer scandals over discussion. These critics themselves are coverring up their own double standards. They always enforce western norms as broad morality. I think they consider themselves a civilising force rather than a participatory force.