It is widely perceived that the elections in South Africa will be a tight rope walk for African National Congress (ANC). The African National Congress (ANC), which led the fight against apartheid ruled with a thumping majority since 1994. Its main rivals are centrist Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).However, ANC’s popularity sank following anger over issues like corruption, land reforms, economic slow down, etc. Opinion polls indicate only 50% of the vote to ANC with DA getting about 20%.The forecast indicates a drastic fall in the ANC’s vote share from 62% of the vote in 2014.There is widespread approval of Mr. Ramaphosa but the electorate reportedly is extremely disillusioned with many of his collogues in power. The corruption -ridden Party is widely criticised for the poor state of South Africa’s economy. However, Mr. Ramaphosa’s personal popularity, polls show has consistently been higher than his party’s.Mr. Ramaphosa has made the battle against corruption a pillar of his campaign.
ANC is expected to win sufficient majority and Mr. Ramaphosa is sure to secures the five-year presidential term. Election results will be announced by 11th may, though broad indications of the outcome are expected to be clear by 10th May.
Political analysts observe that the outcome of two issues — the A.N.C.’s margin of victory and its hold on the provinces, especially the nation’s richest, Gauteng — could have far-reaching repercussions. nationwide.A thinner majority could embolden Ramphosa’s rivals within his party, many of whom have close to former President Mr. Zuma.The Western Cape, the nation’s second-richest province, is already in the hands of the Democratic Alliance, the main opposition.ANC has been losing popularity in Gauteng — home to Johannesburg and Pretoria, — that will play a critical role and may lead to realignment of the nation’s politics. The prevalent sentiment is that Mr. Ramaphosa symbolises the connected black elite minority that has grown rich while the vast majority of black voters were left behind impoverished in an economy largely dominated by white South Africans.
