CAPE TOWN: South Africa will hold pivotal national elections May 29 as polls show the ruling African National Congress could lose its majority for the first time since it came to power with the fall of apartheid 30 years ago.
President Cyril Ramaphosa disclosed the date for an upcoming event in Africa's most developed economy, which is grappling with a range of issues under his ANC party's leadership. These challenges encompass record unemployment, an electricity crisis resulting in severe blackouts for households and enterprises, and widespread voter distrust following numerous corruption allegations over the years.
Multiple polls indicate that the party, formerly esteemed worldwide and formerly led by Nelson Mandela, is projected to fall below the 50% mark in the vote for the first time since it secured South Africa's inaugural all-race election victory in 1994, marking the dawn of a new democracy following the demise of white minority rule.
If it loses its majority, the ANC would need to enter into a coalition to remain in government and keep Ramaphosa - a political protege of Mandela - as president for a second and final five-year term. South Africa has never had a coalition at national level because of the ANC’s dominance.