South Africa votes in historic election: High stakes for ANC

South Africa's historic election sees 27 million voters at the polls, addressing major issues like high unemployment, crime, and corruption. This marks the first post-apartheid election where the ANC risks losing its majority, with polls indicating support could drop to 40%, likely leading to a coalition.

Moneycontrol News

May 29, 2024 / 15:59 IST

An Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) official marks a voter with indelible ink at a polling station in Umlazi on May 29, 2024 during South Africa’s general election. (AFP Photo)

SAFRICA-VOTE South African polling stations opened on May 29 for a historic general election, three decades since the beginning of post-apartheid democracy. (AFP Photo)

SAFRICA-VOTE-ORANIA Polls opened at 7:00 am (0500 GMT) and will close at 9:00 pm, with 27 million registered voters called to elect a new parliament, which then chooses a president. (AFP Photo)

SAFRICA-VOTE High unemployment (32.9 percent), rampant crime, corruption scandals, regular power cuts, and water shortages are the major issues. The economy grew only 0.6 percent in 2023. (AFP Photo)

SAFRICA-VOTE This is the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994 that the ANC could lose its outright majority, according to opinion polls. (AFP Photo)

SAFRICA-VOTE The ANC is projected to win as little as 40 percent of the vote, down from 57 percent in 2019. If it wins fewer than 201 seats, a coalition will be necessary. (AFP Photo)