All eyes on Malema as South Africa goes to the polls

   By Solomon Johnny

South Africa is set to hold its national elections today, May 29, 2024, to elect members of the National Assembly, who will in turn elect the President of South Africa.

Incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa of the African National Congress (ANC) is seeking a second term, but his party’s majority is under threat.

South Africa operates a parliamentary system of government, where the party with the majority of seats produces the President.

The National Assembly has 400 seats, and the ANC has been the dominant party since the end of apartheid in 1995.

However, opinion polls suggest that the ANC’s acceptability index has dropped to around 40%, which may lead to a loss of majority.

If the ANC fails to secure a majority, it may need to form a coalition government with other parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) led by Julius Malema. The EFF has been gaining popularity and currently holds 44 seats, representing 11% of the House.

The main issues in this election campaign include unemployment, hunger, poverty, economy, ownership of land, and racial discrimination.

The ruling ANC has struggled to address these issues, which may impact its chances of returning Cyril Ramaphosa for a second term.

Julius Malema, at 43 years old, is a rising star in South African politics. He is stable, focused, and committed to his politics, and his party has been gaining traction in recent years.

He is the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a political party he founded in 2013.

He is a former member of the African National Congress (ANC) and was previously the president of the ANC Youth League.

He has been a prominent figure in South African politics and has gained a significant following among young people and those who feel marginalized by the country’s economic and political systems.

Will he play a key role in shaping the next government of South Africa? The outcome of the election is uncertain, and all eyes are on Julius Malema as the country goes to the polls.

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