South Africans voted Wednesday at schools, community centers, and in large white tents set up in open fields in an election seen as their country’s most important since apartheid ended 30 years ago. It could put the young democracy into unknown territory. At stake is the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party, which led South Africa out of apartheid’s brutal white minority rule and to democracy in 1994. It is now the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty. After casting his vote, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he had no doubt his ANC would win again with “a firm majority.” The main opposition leader, John Steenhuisen, countered: “For the first time in 30 years, there is now a path to victory for the opposition.”
Quick Read
South Africans vote in what’s been framed as their most important election since apartheid ended
High Stakes: The election could challenge the 30-year dominance of the African National Congress (ANC), which led South Africa to democracy in 1994.
Voter Turnout: South Africans cast their votes at various polling stations, including schools, community centers, and large tents in open fields.
Economic Concerns: With a 32% unemployment rate and widespread poverty, many voters are discontent with the ANC’s performance.
Political Landscape: President Cyril Ramaphosa is confident the ANC will win, while opposition leader John Steenhuisen sees a path to victory for the opposition.
Potential Coalition: The ANC may face the prospect of forming a coalition to stay in power if it loses its majority in Parliament.
Fragmented Opposition: Over 50 parties are contesting the election, with the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters being the largest opposition groups.
Grassroots Support: The ANC still retains significant grassroots support, as evidenced by long-time voters like 68-year-old Velaphi Banda.
Historical Context: This is South Africa’s seventh national election allowing all races to participate, highlighting the progress since apartheid.
Youth Perspective: Young voters like 27-year-old Innocentia Zitha express frustration over the lack of opportunities.
Logistics and Security: Voting began at 7 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m., with nearly 3,000 soldiers deployed to ensure a peaceful election. Final results are expected by Sunday.
The Associated Press has the story:
Polls close, South Africa counts votes in election framed as its most important since apartheid
Newslooks- JOHANNESBURG (AP) —
South Africans voted Wednesday at schools, community centers, and in large white tents set up in open fields in an election seen as their country’s most important since apartheid ended 30 years ago. It could put the young democracy into unknown territory.
A voter fills out a ballot paper during general elections in Nkandla, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, Wednesday May 29, 2024. South Africans are voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put them in unknown territory in the short history of their democracy, the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party being the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
At stake is the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party, which led South Africa out of apartheid’s brutal white minority rule and to democracy in 1994. It is now the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa casts his ballot Wednesday May 29, 2024 for the general elections in Soweto, South Africa. South Africans are voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put them in unknown territory in the short history of their democracy, the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party being the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
After casting his vote, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he had no doubt his ANC would win again with “a firm majority.”
The main opposition leader, John Steenhuisen, countered: “For the first time in 30 years, there is now a path to victory for the opposition.”
People queue to cast their votes at a polling station during general elections, in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. South Africans have begun voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put their young democracy in unknown territory. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
Africa’s most advanced economy has some of the world’s deepest socioeconomic problems, including one of the worst unemployment rates at 32%. The lingering inequality, with poverty disproportionately affecting the Black majority, threatens to unseat the party that promised to end it by bringing down apartheid under the slogan of a better life for all.
An election official prepares the ballots Wednesday May 29, 2024, for the general elections in Soweto, South Africa. South Africans are voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put them in unknown territory in the short history of their democracy, the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party being the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
“Our main issue here in our community is the lack of jobs,” said Samuel Ratshalingwa, who was near the front of the line at the same school in the Johannesburg township of Soweto where Ramaphosa voted. He came out before 7 a.m. on a chilly winter morning.
Voters line up to cast their ballot Wednesday May 29, 2024 in general elections in Soweto, South Africa. South Africans began voting Wednesday at schools, community centers and in large white tents set up in open fields in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years. It could put their young democracy in unknown territory.(AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
“We have to use the vote to make our voices heard about this problem,” Ratshalingwa said.
After winning six successive national elections, several polls have put the ANC’s support at less than 50% before this vote, an unprecedented drop. It might lose its majority in Parliament for the first time, although it’s widely expected to hold the most seats.
Voters line up to cast their ballot for general elections in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The ANC won 57.5% of the vote in the last national election in 2019, its worst result to date and down from a high of nearly 70% in 2004. That slide has been attributed to widespread poverty, but also numerous ANC corruption scandals and a failure of basic government services that see many communities go without running water, electricity or proper housing.
A woman is marked on her hand after casting her ballot on Wednesday May 29, 2024 during general elections in Nkandla, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. South Africans are voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put them in unknown territory in the short history of their democracy, the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party being the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The 71-year-old Ramaphosa sat alongside other voters in Soweto, where he was born and which was once the center of the resistance to apartheid. He shook hands with two smiling officials who registered him before voting.
A woman casts her ballot on Wednesday May 29, 2024, during general elections in KwaMfana, South Africa. South Africans are voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put them in unknown territory in the short history of their democracy, the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party being the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
“I have no doubt whatsoever in my heart of hearts that the people will once again invest confidence in the African National Congress to continue to lead this country,” Ramaphosa said.
Former president of the A.N.C. and South Africa, Jacob Zuma, waves to supporters after casting his ballot in Nkandla, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, Wednesday, May 29, 2024 during the general elections. South Africans are voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put them in unknown territory in the short history of their democracy, the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party being the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Any change in the ANC’s hold on power could be monumental for South Africa. If it does lose its majority, the ANC will likely face the prospect of a coalition with others to stay in government and keep Ramaphosa as president for a second term. The ANC having to co-govern has never happened before.
Women wait to cast their ballots on Wednesday May 29, 2024 during general elections in Nkandla, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. South Africans are voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put them in unknown territory in the short history of their democracy, the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party being the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
South Africans vote for parties, not directly for their president. The parties then get seats in Parliament according to their share of the vote and lawmakers elect the president.
A man casts his vote beneath an image of former president Nelson Mandela and the former Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, at a polling station in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. South Africans have begun voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put their young democracy in unknown territory. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
The election is held on one day across South Africa’s nine provinces, with nearly 28 million people registered to vote at more than 23,000 polling stations. Final results are expected by Sunday.
Voters prepare to cast their ballot Wednesday, May 29, 2024 during general elections in Soweto, South Africa. South Africans are voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put them in unknown territory in the short history of their democracy, the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party being the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
The opposition to the ANC is fierce, but fragmented. The two biggest opposition parties, the centrist Democratic Alliance and the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters, are not expected to increase their vote by anything near enough to overtake the ANC.
Voters line up to cast their ballot Wednesday May 29, 2024 in general elections in Soweto, South Africa. South Africans began voting Wednesday at schools, community centers and in large white tents set up in open fields in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years. It could put their young democracy in unknown territory. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
That’s largely because disgruntled South Africans are moving to an array of opposition parties; more than 50 will contest the national election, many of them new. One is led by South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma, who has turned against his former ANC allies. Zuma was disqualified from standing as a candidate for Parliament but his MK Party is still contesting and is the wild card.
Voters line up to cast their ballot for general election in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Steenhuisen, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance, said South Africa was now heading to “coalition country.” He conceded his party probably wouldn’t gain a majority, but put faith in a preelection agreement with other smaller parties to combine their vote to remove the ANC.
Voters line up to cast their ballot Wednesday May 29, 2024, for general elections in Soweto, South Africa. South Africans are voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put them in unknown territory in the short history of their democracy, the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party being the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
“I don’t think we’re going to solve the problems of South Africa by keeping the same people around the same table making the same bad decisions for the same bad results,” Steenhuisen said.
People queue to cast their votes at a polling station in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. South Africans have begun voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put their young democracy in unknown territory. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
Voters line up to cast their ballot for general elections in Alexrandra, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
“I woke up at 4 a.m. this morning, took a bath and made my way,” said 68-year-old Velaphi Banda, adding that he has voted for the ANC since 1994 and would do so again. “I was never undecided about which party I will vote for. I have always known.”
A woman casts her ballot on Wednesday May 29, 2024, during general elections in KwaMfana, South Africa. South Africans are voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put them in unknown territory in the short history of their democracy, the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party being the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Ramaphosa has pointed out how South Africa is a far better country now than under apartheid, when Black people were barred from voting, weren’t allowed to move around freely, had to live in certain areas and were oppressed in every way. This election is only South Africa’s seventh national vote in which people of all races are allowed to take part.
Voters line up to cast their ballot Wednesday, May 29, 2024, for general elections in Soweto, South Africa. South Africans are voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put them in unknown territory in the short history of their democracy, the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party being the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Memories of that era of apartheid, and the defining election that ended it in 1994, still frame much of everyday South Africa. But fewer remember it as time goes on, and this election might give voice to a new generation.
A woman sells fruits and vegetables near the polling station where former South African President Jacob Zuma is expected to cast his vote, in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa South Africa, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in anticipation of the 2024 general elections scheduled for May 29. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
“I feel like there are just no opportunities for young people in this area,” said 27-year-old Innocentia Zitha of her neighborhood.
An officer watches on as an inmate inserts his ballot paper into the ballot box at the polling station at Kgoši Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria, South Africa, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. South Africans voted Wednesday at schools, community centers, and in large white tents set up in open fields in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years. It could put the young democracy in unknown territory. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
While 80% of South Africans are Black, it’s a multiracial country with significant populations of white people, those of Indian descent, those with biracial heritage and others. There are 12 official languages.
Electoral workers prepare to open the voting station as voters line up to cast their ballot for general elections in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The vote will also showcase the country’s contradictions, from the economic hub of Johannesburg — labeled Africa’s richest city — to the picturesque tourist destination of Cape Town, to the informal settlements of shacks in their outskirts, and the more remote rural areas. In one of those in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, 72-year-old grandmother Thembekile Ngema and others walked 20 minutes over rolling hills to get to their polling station.
A woman casts her vote at a polling station in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. South Africans have begun voting in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put their young democracy in unknown territory. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
Voting was due to start at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and end at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT). The independent electoral commission that runs the election said there were some problems with stations opening on time but they were minor. South Africa has held peaceful and credible elections since a violent buildup to the pivotal 1994 election. Nearly 3,000 soldiers will be deployed across the country to ensure everything is orderly, authorities said.
Voters line up to cast their ballot for general elections in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
