The country now enters a new era of competitive politics in a terrain where once the ANC’s struggle credentials ensured it unparalleled success. Malema, the energetic young founder of the EFF, has won 8% of the national vote and is a kingmaker in Johannesburg and Tshwane. Malema says he predicts the ANC will not be governing South Africa when the country takes to the polls in the 2019 national government elections. [...]
What does it mean? The post-colonial African story is replete with tales of liberation movements that have stayed in power with one leader and one party despite losing the support of the people. Zimbabwe, just to the north of us, is a painful example of such a country; Mugabe and Zanu-PF have been in power for 36 years.
South Africa has broken with that narrative. First, Zuma is the fourth president of the country since 1994. Mandela broke with the “strong man” tradition by stepping down after one term. Now, with these results, a future where South Africa could be run by an opposition party is beginning to emerge. We could see this in the next national election in 2019 or in 2024.
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