Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Thousands of South Africans congregated in the capital on Saturday to demonstrate their support for the country’s largest opposition party as it gears up for an eagerly awaited national election, aiming to wrest control of the government from the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
Many supporters of the Democratic Alliance (DA) gathered at the Union Buildings, South Africa’s governmental headquarters in Pretoria, expressing confidence that the party would deliver improved basic services and tackle the nation’s formidable challenges.
These challenges include a deepening electricity crisis, resulting in frequent power outages for households and businesses. Attendees at the Democratic Alliance rally also highlighted South Africa’s staggering unemployment rate, exceeding 32%, with the party pledging to generate at least 2 million new jobs if it wins this year’s general election.
Although the date for the National Assembly and provincial elections has yet to be announced, it is anticipated to fall between May and August.
Supporters of the Democratic Alliance marched through the capital’s streets before listening to an impassioned speech by party leader John Steenhuisen, who vowed to oust the African National Congress and accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of facilitating corruption within the ANC.
South Africa’s forthcoming elections are anticipated to be among the most challenging for the ruling party, with recent polls suggesting that the ANC may secure less than 50% of the national vote for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994.
During the 2019 elections, the Democratic Alliance garnered slightly over 20% of the national vote, maintaining its position as the second-largest party in the country after the ANC. The party is now exploring the possibility of forming a governing coalition with several other opposition parties to unseat the ANC if they collectively secure more than 50% of the national vote.
“By ending opposition discord and uniting like-minded parties into a cohesive bloc, this coalition offers voters the most promising opportunity for political change since 1994,” Steenhuisen informed party faithful on Saturday.
Under South Africa’s governmental system, lawmakers elect the president, meaning that a party or coalition with a parliamentary majority controls both the executive and legislative branches. Should the ANC’s support dip below 50% at the polls, the party would need to forge alliances with smaller parties to ensure Ramaphosa’s reelection.
Steenhuisen characterized the Democratic Alliance’s manifesto as South Africa’s “rescue plan,” asserting that the party had effectively delivered services in the Western Cape province, the sole provincial government not led by the ANC.
Additionally, Steenhuisen pledged to promptly address the country’s electricity crisis, proposing the privatization of power generation and a transition toward greater reliance on renewable energy sources. He also committed to allocating more resources to combat gender-based violence and other crimes.
“We recognize that many parties will make campaign promises, but only the DA can demonstrate its ability to deliver due to its strong track record in the Western Cape and Cape Town,” remarked 20-year-old supporter Deacon Nortman.
The African National Congress is scheduled to unveil its party platform in KwaZulu-Natal province next week.
