Understanding South African Politics | A Simplified Guide for New Residents

There is no country like South Africa. With its complex, yet triumphant history, rich cultural diversity and progressive and innovative nature, the Rainbow Nation is a country many are proud to call home.

Whether you’re moving to South Africa and are curious about the political landscape, or you’ve lived in South Africa all your life and want to inform yourself about the upcoming elections, here is the complete guide to South African politics — from a quick history of South African politics and a breakdown of the democratic structure to a list of the political parties and everything you need to know about the national elections.

• Overview of South African Politics
• What are the Three Levels of Government in South Africa?
• What are the Three Branches of Government in South Africa?
• South Africa's Elections
  • General Elections vs Municipal Elections
  • Who Can Vote in South Africa’s Elections?
  • South Africa’s Previous Elections
  • 2024 South African General Elections
• Political Parties in South Africa

A Brief Overview of South African Politics

Since 1994 and the end of apartheid, South Africa has been a democratic republic. After a complex history of colonisation, apartheid and a long struggle for freedom, South Africa officially became a democratic republic in 1994, marked by the first democratic elections.

After leading the fight against apartheid, the African National Congress (ANC) won the elections, and Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected President of South Africa.

In 1996, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa was approved by the Constitutional Court, establishing the supreme law of the land. It includes the Bill of Rights which specifies the civil, political, economic, social and cultural human rights of the people of South Africa. South Africa’s Constitution is known as one of the most progressive in the world.

Since 1994, the ANC has remained in power, electing 4 presidents through 6 elections and facing opposition mainly in the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). But while the fight against oppression had been won, the challenges for South Africa were not over.

It’s been 30 years since apartheid ended, and while South Africa has definitely come a long way in closing the massive gaps of inequality with many recent debates centring around Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and land reformation, the country still faces major issues, including unemployment, violent crime, a housing crisis, gender-based violence, insufficient infrastructure, corruption, load shedding and more. This has led to a lack of trust in the government by many.

However, with the upcoming 2024 elections in South Africa, there’s an ignited hope that change is on the way to bring about a better South Africa for all.

What Are the Three Levels of Government in South Africa?

The South African government into 3 levels:

1. The National Government

2. The Provincial Government

3. The Local Government

These levels are designed to ensure the government operates effectively and create a closer connection between the government and the people it serves. Each level of government has their own sphere of power and specific function:

• The National Government works with problems that affect the whole country, including matters relating to foreign affairs, defence, intelligence, tertiary education, national transport and national taxation.

• The Provincial Governments deal with provincial issues such as ambulances, libraries, liquor licences, provincial roads, recreational amenities and provincial sports, plus shared issues with the National Government including agriculture, schools, police, public transport and health and welfare services.

• The Local Governments are comprised of three types of municipalities: metropolitan, district, and local. These municipalities are tasked with various responsibilities including sanitation, sewage management, and traffic control, alongside fostering the development of their respective communities.

What Are the Three Branches of Government in South Africa?

South Africa’s government consists of 3 distinct branches — the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. Each branch has its own capital, hence why South Africa has 3 capital cities. Here’s a breakdown of the roles, powers and functions of each branch of the South African government:

1. The Executive

Capital: Pretoria

The Executive branch of the South African government is made up of the President and the Cabinet which function to govern the country on a national level. The Executive works to propose new laws to develop and implement national policy.

The President is the head of state and national executive, running for a term of 5 years and a maximum of 2 terms. The President elects the Deputy President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers to create the Cabinet. The President can select any number of Ministers from the National Assembly but only a maximum of 2 Ministers from outside the National Assembly.

In addition to the national level, the Executive branch works on a provincial level through the Provincial Executive Councils, one in each province. Each council consists of Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and is headed by a Premier who is elected by the President.

2. The Legislature

Capital: Cape Town

The Legislative branch of government is the Parliament of South Africa which is led by the Speaker and consists of 2 houses:

1. The National Assembly:

The National Assembly uses a proportional representation (PR) voting system – an electoral system where the number of seats given to each elective party is proportional to the number of votes the party received during the General Elections.

The National Assembly usually has between 350-400 Members of Parliament (MPs) who are selected by their elected parties. The role of the National Assembly is to elect the President, pass laws, scrutinise budgets and importantly, hold the executive responsible, ensuring its members are doing their job properly.

2. The National Council of Provinces (NCOP):

The National Council of Provinces operates on a provincial level to ensure that each of the 9 provinces has a voice in Parliament, playing an important role in improving relations between national, provincial and local governments.

It consists of exactly 90 members, 10 for each province. The 10 members per province are made up of 6 permanent members and 4 non-permanent members, one of which is the Premier of the province who leads the province’s delegation.

3. The Judiciary

Capital: Bloemfontein

South Africa’s Judiciary branch involves all courts and is led by the Chief Justice. The role of the Judiciary is to interpret and execute the law, acting completely independently of the Executive and Legislature branches.

South Africa has 5 courts:

1. The Constitutional Court: The highest court which is restricted to constitutional matters.

2. The Supreme Court of Appeal: Considered the highest court except the Constitutional Court, as it only deals with cases sent from the High Court and its decisions can’t be changed by any other court.

3. The High Courts: There are 13 High Courts, including one for each province as well as the Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court, the Land Claims Court, the Competition Appeal Court, the Electoral Court and the Tax Court.

4. The Magistrates’ Courts: Lowers courts that deal with less serious criminal and civil cases.

5. Any other court recognised under the Act of Parliament, including Children’s Court, Equality Court, Sex Offences Court, Maintenance Court, Small Claims Court and more.

South Africa’s Elections

One of the most interesting times in the world of South African politics is during election season. Not only is it a time to celebrate South Africa’s democracy and reflect on all aspects of the South African government, but it’s also a time when political parties are emerging and coming together to campaign their policies and prospects for a better country.

A key to understanding South African politics is understanding how and when political parties are elected into government. Let’s check out how South African elections work and look forward to the upcoming 2024 General Elections.

General Elections vs Municipal Elections

South Africa’s elections are run by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The elections run on a 5-year cycle but are separated into the General Elections (which include the National and Provincial Elections) and the Municipal Elections.

1. General Elections:

The first General Election under South Africa’s free democracy was in 1994, followed by 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019 and coming up in 2024.

The General Election uses a proportional representation (PR) voting system to allow both big and small parties to be represented.

For these elections, voters vote for both National and Provincial Legislatures, namely the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces, on 2 separate ballots.

2. Municipal Elections:

The Municipal Elections take place 2 years after the General Elections, first running in 1996, followed by 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 and the next in 2026.

The Municipal Elections uses a hybrid voting system of both proportional representation (PR) and a constituency, where half the seats in local and metro councils come from the PR system and half from the constituency (ward) system.

Who Can Vote in South Africa’s Elections?

To vote in the South African General Elections, you must be:

• A South African citizen

• 18 years old

• Have a green, barcoded South African ID, smartcard ID or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC)

South Africa’s Previous Elections

Since the first democratic election in 1994, there have been 6 General Elections in South Africa. The ANC may have been the outright winner for the past 30, but there have been some significant shifts in each election, especially in recent years with some new political parties entering the mix.

Here’s a look at the results of the previous elections in South Africa:

2024 South African General Elections

South Africa’s next General Elections will take place on 29 May 2024, and it’s looking to be the tightest race yet.

While the ANC has dominated for the past 30 years, its declining popularity has been met with some fierce opposition, particularly in the DA, EFF, IFP and new party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK Party).

With a general consensus amongst the parties that South Africa is ready and in need of new leadership, another interesting dynamic has emerged — the Multi-Party Charter.

The Multi-Party Charter is a coalition, or pre-election agreement, formed in August 2023 with the aim of challenging both the three-decade rule of the ANC and the recent rise of the controversial EFF. The initial 8 members of the Multi-Party Charter include:

• Democratic Alliance (DA)

• Inkatha Freedom Party (IKP)

• Freedom Front Plus (FF+)

• ActionSA

• African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP)

• United Independent Movement (UIM)

• Spectrum National Party (SNP)

• Independent South African National Civic Organisation (ISANCO)

Since its inception, it has grown to 10 members with the addition of the Ekhethu People’s Party and the United Christian Democratic Party, with the hopes of more joining. Together, these parties currently hold 112 Parliamentary seats out of 400 but hope to win the majority in the upcoming elections, setting up some very interesting dynamics for the upcoming 2024 elections.

Political Parties in South Africa

To help you better understand South Africa’s political landscape, it’s essential to know the political parties that work to govern South Africa, especially if you’re gearing up to vote in the upcoming elections.

With a multi-party system, South Africa has quite a number of political parties, however, there are only a dozen with enough support for representation in government. There are also a couple of new parties on the rise and ready to make waves in their first elections this year.

Here’s a list of the main political parties in South Africa you should know about:

1. African National Congress (ANC)

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Leader: Cyril Ramaphosa

Established in: 1912

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: 57.50%

Ideology: African nationalist social democracy

Position: Centre-left to left-wing

The African National Congress (ANC) has been the ruling party in South Africa since the first democratic elections in 1994, led by Nelson Mandela. It is also South Africa’s oldest political party, originating in 1912 as the South African Native National Congress and changing its name to the African National Congress in 1923.

Winning the elections again in 1999 with almost a two-thirds majority, Mandela was succeeded by Thabo Mbeki who served 2 terms but resigned before the end of his 2nd term due to conflicts within the ANC and the rise of Jacob Zuma.

Zuma followed Mbeki as President with the ANC winning the 2009 and 2014 elections, serving 2 terms. However, with a presidency filled with controversy, Zuma also resigned before the end of his 2nd term. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa served as Acting President before becoming President after the ANC’s win in the 2019 elections.

The ANC’s key objective is the creation of a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society. While the ANC has been instrumental in transforming South Africa post-apartheid, in recent years, the ANC’s support has wavered due to waves of controversy and corruption and the rise of opposition parties such as the DA and EFF.

2. Democratic Alliance (DA)

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Leader: John Steenhuisen

Established in: 2000

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: 20.77%

Ideology: Federal liberalism

Position: Centre-right

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been the ANC’s main opposition since the 1999 elections when it was formerly known as the Democratic Party (DP). It officially became known as the Democratic Alliance in 2000 when the Democratic Party, New National Party (NNP) and Federal Alliance (FA) joined forces (however, the NNP withdrew soon after in 2001).

Led originally by Tony Leon, the former DP leader, Helen Zille, the Western Cape Premier took over in 2007. In the 2009 elections, the DA won the Western Cape, being the only province not governed by the ANC and holding onto the Western Cape since.

Zille was succeeded by Mmusi Maimane in 2015, the first black leader of the DA, who helped the DA gain black voters after being seen as a majority-white party. However, Maimane left the DA in 2019, leading to a dip in the DA’s support in the 2019 elections. Since then, the DA has been headed by John Steenhuisen.

The DA advocates for liberal democracy, the rule of law and a market-driven economy. It has a strong support base in urban areas and the Western Cape.

3. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)

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Leader: Julius Malema

Established in: 2013

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: 10.79%

Ideology: African nationalist socialist

Position: Radical left-wing

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was established in 2013 by Julius Malema, who previously led the ANC Youth League. Identified as a left-wing political party, the EFF became the third most popular party by securing 6.35% of the vote in its first election in 2014.

The party describes itself as a movement committed to the economic emancipation of South Africans, and it adopts an anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist stance, critiquing what it views as the neoliberal policies of the ANC. The EFF advocates for significant economic policy changes, such as the nationalization of industries and land expropriation without compensation.

The EFF has a strong following among young voters, particularly in the North West, Gauteng, and Limpopo provinces. It frequently engages in debates on contentious issues, including the use of historical struggle songs and discussions on land reform in South Africa.

4. Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)

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Leader: Velenkosini Hlabisa

Established in: 1975

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: 3.38%

Ideology: Zulu conservatism

Position: Centre-right to right-wing

Founded in 1975 by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is the 4th most popular party and one of South Africa’s oldest, playing an important role in the formation of South Africa’s democracy in the early 1990s.

While the IFP gained 41 seats in Parliament in 1994, this dropped to only 9 seats in 2014, with a lot of its supporters being poached by the rise of the EFF. Velenkosini Hlabisa took over from Buthelezi as the head of the party in 2019.

As a predominantly Zulu party, its support is mostly found in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Promoting federalism and the preservation of Zulu culture and traditions, the IFP’s focus is on social justice and the resolution to a number of South African issues, such as the AIDS crisis, unemployment, crime, poverty, and corruption.

5. Freedom Front Plus (FF+)

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Leader: Pieter Groenewald

Established in: 1994

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: 2.38%

Ideology: Afrikaner conservatism

Position: Centre-right to right-wing

Also known as Vryheidsfront Plus, the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) is a conservative political party with a largely Afrikaans-speaking supporter base and the aim to help Afrikaners to “protect their culture, education and values.”

From 1 seat in Parliament following the 2004 elections, the FF+ has been slowly growing its following, leading to 4 seats in 2009 and 9 seats in 2019. In 2016, Pieter Groenewald took over the party from Pieter Mulder, with the former leading the party in the 2024 elections.

The FF+ is an advocate for minority rights and self-determination, emphasising the protection of Afrikaner cultural heritage. It has expressed opposition to policies like Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), the National Health Insurance (NHI), and land reform initiatives.

6. United Democratic Movement (UDM)

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Leader: Bantu Holomisa

Established in: 1997

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: 0.45%

Ideology: Social democracy

Position: Centre-left

The United Democratic Movement was founded by Bantu Holomisa, a former ANC member who was expelled from the party after accusing a top party official of corruption.

While the UDM managed to gain 14 seats and 3.42% of votes in the 1999 elections, its support has since declined, earning only 2 seats and 0.45% of votes in 2019.

The UDM is a centrist party that supports social democracy and advocates for ethical governance, the eradication of corruption, and the improvement of public services. It hopes to appeal to voters across racial and ethnic lines, envisioning “the coming together of all in South Africa”, to build one nation that ensures a quality life for every citizen.

7. uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK Party)

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Leader: Jacob Zuma

Established in: 2023

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: -

Ideology: Zulu nationalism

Position: Left-wing

uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK Party) is a new political party that entered the scene in December 2023, founded on Reconciliation Day by Jabulani Khumalo. Following Khumalo's expulsion, former President Jacob Zuma assumed leadership of the party. The MK Party has attracted significant attention due to these developments.

There has been legal debate over whether Zuma is eligible to run for president again. According to the constitution, a person sentenced to more than 12 months in prison within the last five years is disqualified from running. Zuma, sentenced to 15 months in 2021 for contempt of court but serving only two months, successfully appealed this ruling, allowing his candidacy.

The media coverage surrounding these events has significantly increased the party's visibility, reflected by its performance in recent polls where it garnered 8.4% of the vote. The MK Party is emerging as a notable participant in the 2024 elections.

8. ActionSA

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Leader: Herman Mashaba

Established in: 2020

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: -

Ideology: Free-market liberalism

Position: Centre-right to right-wing

Formed by Herman Mashaba, the former mayor of Johannesburg after leaving the DA, ActionSA is a centrist party that aims to "set South Africa free from the restraints of a broken political system and build a prosperous, non-racial and secure future for all its people."

While many of its leaders were originally from the DA, ActionSA has asserted that the party “was not formed as part of a detraction for the DA, but the need to create an alternative towards a shared future."

While ActionSA was formed only after the 2019 elections, it had a running start at the 2021 municipal elections, winning 2.34% of votes. It is predicted to be an important player in the upcoming 2024 elections.

9. Patriotic Alliance (PA)

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Leader: Gayton McKenzie

Established in: 2013

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: 0.04%

Ideology: Nationalist conservative

Position: Centre-right to right-wing

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) is one of the more controversial parties, started by businessman Gayton McKenzie and former English teacher turned businessman Kenny Kunene in 2013, declaring itself an alternative to the DA and ANC.

The PA aims to “foster a South Africa where every citizen can thrive, free from the constraints of violence, inequality and division.” Their proposed policies include a zero-tolerance on immigration, the return of the death penalty, mandatory military or public service and the elevation of royal and local leaders.

The party has gained popularity, particularly in the Western Cape, and has representation in several local governments. This support is attributed to its appeal across various communities in the region.

10. Build One South Africa (BOSA)

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Leader: Mmusi Maimane

Established in: 2022

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: -

Ideology: Democratic pragmatism

Position: Radical centrism

Founded by the former DA leader, Mmusi Maimane, Build One South Africa (BOSA) portrays itself as a social movement advocating for a non-racial society, strong ethical leadership and market-based policies with the central goal of an alternative to the domination of party politics.

Focusing on the unemployment crisis, Maimane claims his party’s priority is to ensure that there is a person with a job in every household. His plan is to facilitate economic expansion and job generation, with a plan that outlines strategies to modernise the education system, reduce crime substantially, and establish an effective government based on merit.

11. Rise Mzansi

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Leader: Songezo Zibi

Established in: 2023

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: -

Ideology: Social democratic constitutionalism

Position: Centre to centre-right

Rise Mzansi is another new party of only a year old preparing for its first elections this year. Led by Songezo Zibi, former associate editor of the Financial Mail and former editor of Business Day, Rise Mzansi aims to mobilise the people to take up their role as active citizens and build stronger and more connected communities.

Grounded in the ideological position of a social democratic tradition, Rise Mzansi commits to building a citizen-centred politics where public representatives are responsive to the views and needs of citizens and crucially, are accountable to the people.

12. Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC)

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Leader: Mzwanele Nyhontso

Established in: 1959

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: 0.19%

Ideology: African socialism

Position: Centre-left to left-wing

The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) is a political party in South Africa that advocates for African nationalism. It was established in 1959 by Robert Sobukwe, who departed from the ANC to form the PAC, significantly contributing to the anti-apartheid movement. Since 2014, the PAC has maintained one seat in Parliament.

The party seeks to establish a confederation known as the United States of Africa, which would include all African nations, governed by principles of Africanist socialist democracy. The PAC prioritizes land reform and aims to replace the remnants of colonialism with policies that promote the self-determination of African people.

13. African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP)

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Leader: Reverend Kenneth Meshoe

Established in: 1993

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: 0.84%

Ideology: Christian democracy, social conservatism

Position: Centre-right

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) is a Christian party rooted in biblical principles led by Reverend Kenneth Meshoe.

The ACDP believes that healthy families should be the foundation of South African society driven by traditional values. While the ACDP is an advocate for the death penalty for more serious crimes, it is strictly against abortion and recently opposed the mandate for the COVID-19 vaccine.

While the ACDP’s support rapidly declined between 2004 and 2009, dropping from 7 seats to 3, it’s managed to hang on to 4 seats since the 2019 elections.

14. Congress of the People (COPE)

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Leader: Mosiuoa Lekota

Established in: 2008

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: 0.27%

Ideology: Liberal social democracy

Position: Centre-left

Congress of the People (COPE) was formed as another breakaway from the ANC, founded by Mosiuoa Lekota, former Defence Minister, and Mbhazima Shilowa, former Gauteng Premier. This move took place after the rise of Jacob Zuma as party leader and the demise of Thabo Mbeki as State President.

Despite earning a whopping 30 seats in 2009, COPE faced a rapid decline since then due to infighting with now only 2 seats in Parliament following the 2019 elections.

COPE describes itself as centrist and non-racist with principles which include social cohesion as well as freedom and equality before the law, summarised in its slogan: “Reliable, accountable and incorruptible”.

15. Good Party (GOOD)

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Leader: Patricia de Lille

Established in: 2018

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: 0.4%

Ideology: Liberal social democracy

Position: Centre-left

GOOD was founded by Patricia de Lille, former Mayor of Cape Town and a former member of the DA, following her resignation amid accusations from the DA regarding corruption in local municipalities. After participating in its first elections in 2019, GOOD secured 2 seats in Parliament, earning 0.4% of the votes.

Based in Cape Town, GOOD has garnered support from a diverse range of communities. The party's platform focuses on environmentalism, antiracism, and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment. It emphasizes good governance, anti-corruption measures, and social upliftment programs, advocating for collaborative approaches in politics rather than confrontational ones.

16. African Transformation Movement (ATM)

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Leader: Vuyolwethu Zungula

Established in: 2018

Percentage of Votes in 2019 Elections: 0.44%

Ideology: African Christian socialism

Position: Centre-right

Formed in 2018, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) is headed by Vuyolwethu Zungula and backed by the South African Council of Messianic Churches in Christ.

Rooted in religious beliefs, the ATM seeks to create and develop a decolonised, modern, democratic, fair, and prosperous society based on the values of Ubuntu, servant leadership, and accountability.

With most of its support coming from the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Limpopo, the ATM currently holds 2 seats in the National Assembly.

Conclusion

South Africa has made remarkable strides over the past 30 years, a testament to the resilience and spirit of its people. Despite ongoing socio-economic challenges, the nation's robust potential and the unyielding drive of its citizens suggest a promising future.

As South Africa continues to evolve, there is much anticipation for the advancements and reforms that lie ahead in its political landscape. This optimism underscores a collective commitment to progress and a brighter future for all South Africans.