South Africans headed to the polls yesterday amid the biggest challenge to the African National Congress’ 30-year rule since the end of apartheid.
Recent polling suggests the party of the late Nelson Mandela may not secure the simple majority of the vote needed to nominate the president, a feat the ANC has achieved in every election since 1994. If the ANC fails to do so this year, the party—still the forerunner among more than 50 others—will need to form a coalition.
Fueling discontent is South Africa’s economic situation: The country has the world’s highest sustained unemployment rate, with 33% of eligible workers unemployed in early 2024. Roughly two-thirds of the population lives below the poverty line. Power cuts have disrupted the country, with the country's state-owned utility company scheduling 280 days of rolling blackouts last year. Violent crime has also increased, with an average of 75 homicides per day.
A record 27.9 million people registered to vote this year across South Africa’s nine provinces. Election results are expected by Sunday.
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