South Africa: ANC Support falls to 45%, Poll Reveals

The African National Congress (ANC), a political party in South Africa is only supported by  45% of voters and there are chances that it could lose its majority in 2024's election  to be held between May and August. This was revealed in a poll published by the Social Research Foundation (SRF) this week.

The ANC, which has held control since South Africa's shift to democracy in April 1994, is the ruling party of the nation.

During the span of national elections between 1994 and 2004, the ANC continuously experienced an increase in its electoral support. However, in both the 2009 and 2014 elections, the party witnessed a decline in its popularity.

The percentage of individuals willing to support the ANC in an upcoming election has decreased from 52% in March to 45%, as indicated by the recent October poll. The poll surveyed 1,412 registered voters and possessed a margin of error of 5%.

In South Africa, citizens participate in parliamentary elections to choose their representatives with a majority selecting the president. 

Nelson Mandela, a symbol of the fight against apartheid, was elected through this process in 1994, marking the country's first democratic elections.

The ANC, a party that has faced internal divisions and has been criticized for corruption, nepotism, and a weak economic performance, is experiencing a decline in popularity. On the other hand, the centrist Democratic Alliance (DA), the main opposition party, is gaining momentum in the current poll. The Democratic Alliance gained 31% in the recent poll as opposed to the 24% in the March Survey.