What is at stake in South Africa's local government elections
South Africa will hold local elections on May 18. The ruling African National Congress will claim the bulk of the seats due to its dominance over local politics.
Following are some questions and answers on the poll:
WHAT IS BEING CONTESTED?
The vote will decide control over 278 municipalities, including the biggest cities Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria. There are 4,275 ward seats and 460 proportional representation seats up for grabs.
The Independent Election Commission said 121 parties are taking part, fielding 53,596 candidates.
Local elections are held every five years.
WHY ARE THE ELECTIONS IMPORTANT?
The vote is seen as a gauge of support for the ANC, in power since the end of apartheid 17 years ago. Any significant gains by the main opposition Democratic Alliance, which controls the Cape Town area and not much else, would be a warning shot across the bow of the ANC that its dominance over the political scene is slipping. This would also undermine President Jacob Zuma as he heads into the party’s major policy setting meeting next year by emboldening rivals seeking to take over the party leadership.
Analysts see the election as the first where non-racial differences in class come into play in the country that suffered racial repression of non-whites for most of the 20th century. They do not expect class divides to tip the balance now but they will likely do so in the future.
Many ANC supporters have said they will not vote. A low turnout could be seen as a loss of support for Zuma and the ANC.
Turnout in the last local election in 2006 was 48,4%, the ANC took 66,35% of the vote and the DA had 14,77%.
WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC RISKS?
Any slippage by the ANC could cause it to increase spending, making it more difficult for the Treasury to rein in a budget deficit that it sees as 5,3% of gross domestic product as of March 2012. This could undermine bonds and make it more costly for the state to borrow money abroad.
Zuma’s political rivals include those who want to nationalise industries including mining and banking and weaken the rand. An ANC setback could lead to growing pressure in the party to consider these policies, which have largely been pushed aside as non-viable.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN ISSUES?
The biggest issue is the perceived failure of the ANC to deliver running water, electricity, basic healthcare and a working education system to the poor black majority, its traditional voting base.
There have been deadly protests in recent years directed at the ANC for not doing enough to help the poor.
Persistently high crime and unemployment rates have added to the anger.
Zuma has said the ANC has made remarkable progress in improving the lot of the poor.
Another issue is corruption, with many complaining that only an elite closely connected to the ANC has been able to benefit economically since the end of apartheid.
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CONTESTS?
Cape Town and the Western Cape province, where it is located. They are run by the opposition DA, which has used the area in its campaigns to say it is better at governance than the ruling party. This is the only major city and province not run by the ANC, which has pledged to take back control. Opinion poll data indicates that the ANC stands little chance.
The DA, working with other opposition groups, has an outside chance of taking control of other major urban areas including Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay, which would be a major embarrassment for Zuma and the ANC. The DA is also looking to increase its share of ward holders in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Local Elections Q&A
What is at stake in South Africa's local government elections
South Africa will hold local elections on May 18. The ruling African National Congress will claim the bulk of the seats due to its dominance over local politics.
Following are some questions and answers on the poll:
WHAT IS BEING CONTESTED?
The vote will decide control over 278 municipalities, including the biggest cities Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria. There are 4,275 ward seats and 460 proportional representation seats up for grabs.
The Independent Election Commission said 121 parties are taking part, fielding 53,596 candidates.
Local elections are held every five years.
WHY ARE THE ELECTIONS IMPORTANT?
The vote is seen as a gauge of support for the ANC, in power since the end of apartheid 17 years ago. Any significant gains by the main opposition Democratic Alliance, which controls the Cape Town area and not much else, would be a warning shot across the bow of the ANC that its dominance over the political scene is slipping. This would also undermine President Jacob Zuma as he heads into the party’s major policy setting meeting next year by emboldening rivals seeking to take over the party leadership.
Analysts see the election as the first where non-racial differences in class come into play in the country that suffered racial repression of non-whites for most of the 20th century. They do not expect class divides to tip the balance now but they will likely do so in the future.
Many ANC supporters have said they will not vote. A low turnout could be seen as a loss of support for Zuma and the ANC.
Turnout in the last local election in 2006 was 48,4%, the ANC took 66,35% of the vote and the DA had 14,77%.
WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC RISKS?
Any slippage by the ANC could cause it to increase spending, making it more difficult for the Treasury to rein in a budget deficit that it sees as 5,3% of gross domestic product as of March 2012. This could undermine bonds and make it more costly for the state to borrow money abroad.
Zuma’s political rivals include those who want to nationalise industries including mining and banking and weaken the rand. An ANC setback could lead to growing pressure in the party to consider these policies, which have largely been pushed aside as non-viable.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN ISSUES?
The biggest issue is the perceived failure of the ANC to deliver running water, electricity, basic healthcare and a working education system to the poor black majority, its traditional voting base.
There have been deadly protests in recent years directed at the ANC for not doing enough to help the poor.
Persistently high crime and unemployment rates have added to the anger.
Zuma has said the ANC has made remarkable progress in improving the lot of the poor.
Another issue is corruption, with many complaining that only an elite closely connected to the ANC has been able to benefit economically since the end of apartheid.
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CONTESTS?
Cape Town and the Western Cape province, where it is located. They are run by the opposition DA, which has used the area in its campaigns to say it is better at governance than the ruling party. This is the only major city and province not run by the ANC, which has pledged to take back control. Opinion poll data indicates that the ANC stands little chance.
The DA, working with other opposition groups, has an outside chance of taking control of other major urban areas including Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay, which would be a major embarrassment for Zuma and the ANC. The DA is also looking to increase its share of ward holders in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
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