South African 2019 Elections Vote Counting Continues: Gains , Pains and the Rule of Numbers

SOUTH AFRICA - In Brief 10 May 2019 by Iraj Abedian

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With over 70% of South Africa's 23000 voting stations counted and tallied, gradually a picture is emerging, much in line with expectations, and with some variations. At the national level, the ANC is leading with a 57% voter support, DA at around 22% and the EFF at circa 10%. Curiously, all the parties are unhappy about the outcome. For the ANC, this is its worst performance since 1994 when it secured over 67% of the votes. Of course, the party is hardly the same political force except in name. Understandably, the results are painful for those rank and file members of the ANC whose hope of joining the Parliament is dashed. With fewer opportunities, Ramaphosa will have a tough balancing act to retain his political party's unity. This is even more so given that the Provincial levels, the ANC has not fared well either. In almost all provinces, except in the Western Cape, the party has lost electoral support. In the Western Cape, the DA secured an outright majority, and retained its position as the only province that is governed by a party other than the ANC. The DA, whilst maintaining its 2014 level of voter support, is equally in pain. With all the self-inflicted crises that ANC experienced under the Zuma presidency, as the main opposition party the DA has evidently failed to win over more voters and even reach its own goal of securing a 30% electoral support at the national level. This is highly problematic for the DA going forward. At the provincial levels too, the DA has lost much electoral support, conceding its 'official opposition' position to the EFF. Almost certainly, in the period ahead, the DA leadership will face serious internal battles, challenges and even p...