Who are the main political parties in South Africa?
African National Congress
Many Black South Africans, particularly those who are older, have a strong sense of devotion to the African National Congress (ANC) because of the party’s history as a liberation movement led by Nelson Mandela that helped bring an end to apartheid and usher in a multiracial democracy.
However, because of ongoing poverty and inequality, high unemployment, scandals involving corruption, unstable electricity supplies, and high crime rates, its support has declined recently.
Democratic Alliance
In the last election, the pro-business DA received the second-highest percentage of the vote. To increase its popularity, it has forged alliances with several minor parties.
Cape Town, the second-most populous city in South Africa, is located in the Western Cape, where the party holds provincial government authority.
Economic Freedom Fighters
The EFF was founded in 2013 by Julius Malema, a fiery former leader of the ANC’s youth wing who left the party. Young, Black, and impoverished voters make up the majority of the party’s supporters.
Umkhonto We Sizwe (‘Spear of the Nation’)
The MK party was only registered in September 2023, making it a recent entry. When former president Jacob Zuma, who has a falling out with the ANC, said in December that he was supporting it, it gained a significant boost.