Guardian

‘People have died on the waiting lists’: South Africa’s housing crisis casts a shadow over election

South Africans began voting on Wednesday in the most competitive election since the end of apartheid, with polls suggesting the ruling African National Congress (ANC) could lose its outright majority and end its 30-year political dominance.

France 24

Over 27M South Africans are registered to cast their votes at over 23K polling stations for the provincial assemblies in the country's nine provinces and for a new national parliament, which will then pick the next president.

Reuters

Addressing thousands at Soweto’s FNB soccer stadium ANC leader and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa most recently called Wednesday’s vote "one of the most important elections" in the country’s history."

Opposition leader John Steenhuisen, of the Democratic Alliance (DA), warned of a "doomsday scenario" if the vote results in a coalition of the ANC, the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters and the new uMkhonto WeSizwe, backed by former president Jacob Zuma.

Monitor

Meanwhile, South African Electoral Commission chief Sy Mamabolo on Tuesday lamented what he called a “clear orchestration to undermine the credibility” of the electoral result, along with alleged social media efforts to damage the IEC's credibility.

Several polls show support for the ANC at less than 50% for the first time, which under the country's parliamentary electoral system would force the ANC to form a coalition if it wants to re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa.

South Africa Votes in Election That Could Bring Biggest Shift Since 1994

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South Africa Votes in Election That Could Bring Biggest Shift Since 1994

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