South Africa elections to be held on May 29 amid tough competition
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South Africa's president calls on all citizens to "peacefully exercise their democratic right to vote."
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the media after meeting with his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, November 23, 2021 (AP)
South Africa will hold its general national and provincial elections on May 29, the presidency announced on Tuesday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa‘s office announced that he has consulted with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on the election date and convened a meeting with all 9 Provincial Premiers and the IEC to discuss the state of readiness for the general elections.
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“Beyond the fulfillment of our constitutional obligation, these upcoming elections are also a celebration of our democratic journey and a determination of the future that we all desire,’’ Ramaphosa said.
The 2024 elections coincide with South Africa's celebration of 30 years of ending the racial apartheid system in 1994. The first elections saw Nelson Mandela become the first democratically elected black president.
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"I call on all South Africans to exercise their democratic right to vote and for those who will be campaigning to do so peacefully, within the full observance of the law. We also urge unregistered voters to use the online registration platform to register”, the presindet's statement read.
ANC faces tough competition
Coming to power in 1994, Ramaphosa's ruling African National Congress party is up against tough competition.
The ANC faces significant competition from the Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in parliament, and the Economic Freedom Fighters, the third-largest party, both of which have unveiled their electoral agendas.
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Experts suggest that the ANC's newest challenge comes from the recently established Umkhonto We Sizwe party, supported by former President Jacob Zuma, who has declared that he will not support the ANC in the upcoming elections.
According to recent surveys conducted by the Social Research Foundation, Umkhonto We Sizwe has the potential to secure up to 24 percent of the vote in KwaZulu-Natal, which is South Africa's second most populous province, and happens to be former President Zuma's home province.
Ramaphosa's party will launch its manifesto on Saturday in the province.
