In a crucial test, South Africa’s ruling African National Congress is under pressure to hold on to power in several cities and towns as voters went to the polls Monday in local elections.
The party is facing widespread criticism as many municipalities it governs are bankrupt and are mostly failing to deliver basic services.
“Sewage is flowing down streets, into rivers," said Democratic Alliance opposition leader John Steenhuisen. "People sit for days without electricity. They’re without water. Businesses are closing down in those towns and moving away. That’s the crisis in local government."
Analysts predict the party share of the vote could fall below 50 percent - leading to disarray in its local leadership and a lose of political dominance after 27 years.
"I'm here to vote for change," 67-year old pensioner Xinyenyani Mthembu told Reuters at a polling station in Soweto township.
ANC supporters say they are hoping the popularity of party leader and President Cyril Ramaphosa could sway local voters. Ramaphosa has been steady in navigating the travails of the COVID-19 pandemic and has promised to reform the party after scathing corruption investigations.
“People won’t be voting for the ANC per se," said political analyst Tebogo Khaas. "In most instances they’ll be voting for Cyril Ramaphosa."
Ramaphosa cast his vote in the township of Soweto in Johannesburg and emphasized the nation's progress since overthrowing apartheid.
"As a country we have to be very proud that our democracy is growing and becoming more entrenched,” he said.
ANC losing power
Still, the ANC has been buckling a downward trend. It lost power in key cities such as Johannesburg in 2016 to smaller parties, most notably the chief opposition Democratic Alliance.
The DA ended up governing metro areas by forming coalitions with other parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), South Africa’s third-biggest political organization.
But the union was short-lived as the secondary parties could not work together and the ANC has been bartering power positions with the EFF to gains seats.
“The DA and the EFF seem to be tricking themselves to actually throw this one away because the ANC’s currently at its weakest and they don’t seem to be taking advantage of the ANC,” Khaas said.
Still, opposition party leader Steenhuisen predicts the ANC's troubles are too much to overcome. He sees an opposition tidal wave.
“I think we’re going to surprise even our most vehement critics in the media in this election and I think we’re going to put in a good performance,” Steenhuisen said, adding he is not worried about the the “Ramaphosa factor."
Analyst Khaas said the long reach of the ANC could be too much to overcome.
“I don’t see any of the ANC’s opponents making extreme inroads," he said. "I still believe the ANC could actually spring many surprises and even win majorities."
