The Political Parties of South Africa: A Guide for the Upcoming Elections

As South Africa approaches its upcoming elections, the political atmosphere is buzzing with activity. The nation’s democracy is characterised by a multi-party system, allowing a wide range of political parties to contest in both national and provincial elections. These parties represent a variety of ideologies, catering to the diverse interests of South Africa’s population. Below is an overview of the political parties of South Africa:

A Guide to the Political Parties of South Africa

African National Congress (ANC)

The African National Congress (ANC) has been the ruling party in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994. Founded in 1912, it is the country’s oldest political party. The ANC played a pivotal role in the struggle against apartheid, with Nelson Mandela being one of its most famous leaders. It is a centre-left party, advocating for policies aimed at addressing inequality, and poverty, and promoting social justice.

Democratic Alliance (DA)

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is the main opposition party. It was formed in 2000, succeeding the Democratic Party (DP) that had been established in the late 1980s. The DA advocates for liberal democracy, the rule of law, and a market-driven economy. It has a strong support base in urban areas and has been governing the Western Cape province.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)

Founded in 2013 by former ANC Youth League President Julius Malema, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is a far-left political party. The EFF advocates for radical changes to South Africa’s economic policies, including the nationalization of industries and land expropriation without compensation. The party has quickly gained popularity, especially among the youth and those disillusioned with the traditional political establishment.

Read more: EFF’s Promise of an Increase in Social Grants.

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is a predominantly Zulu party that was founded in 1975 by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The party has its stronghold in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The IFP promotes federalism and the preservation of Zulu culture and traditions. It has played a significant role in South Africa’s political landscape, especially during the transition from apartheid to democracy.

Freedom Front Plus (FF+)

The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) is a conservative political party that primarily represents the interests of the Afrikaner minority. Founded in 1994, the party advocates for minority rights, self-determination, and the protection of Afrikaner cultural heritage. The FF+ has been vocal against affirmative action policies and land reform programs that it views as discriminatory against white South Africans.

United Democratic Movement (UDM)

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) was established in 1997 by Bantu Holomisa, a former senior member of the ANC. The UDM is a centrist party that advocates for ethical governance, the eradication of corruption, and the improvement of public services. It seeks to appeal to voters across racial and ethnic lines.

Other Notable Parties

Several other parties play crucial roles in South Africa’s political landscape, including the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), and the Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party (SRWP), among others. These parties, while smaller in size, contribute to the vibrant and diverse political discourse in the country.

A Few of the Newer Political Parties of South Africa:

ActionSA:

Founded: 2020

Leader: Former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba.

ActionSA positions itself as a centrist party focused on good governance, fighting corruption, and addressing service delivery failures. It is gaining a lot of support after the recent municipal elections.

Patriotic Alliance (PA):

Founded: 2013  

Leaders: Controversial businessmen Kenny Kunene and Gayton McKenzie. 

The PA appeals strongly to feelings of being misunderstood, employing populist language with controversial themes of economic nationalism and xenophobia.

African Transformation Movement (ATM):

Formed: 2018

ATM draws some of its roots from religious organisations. They espouse strong positions on moral issues and promote a version of African nationalism focused on economic progress.

Good Party (GOOD): 

Formed: 2018  

Leader: Patricia de Lille

Established by a former mayor of Cape Town, the party centres on good governance, fighting corruption, and social upliftment programs. It also emphasises collaborative approaches instead of confrontation in politics.

Build One South Africa (BOSA):

Founded: 2020

Leader: Mmusi Maimane

Maimane is a passionate former leader of the Democratic Alliance. His party positions itself as a fresh option advocating for a non-racial society, strong ethical leadership, and market-based policies.

Important Considerations

• “New” is relative in politics. While the parties listed above were all founded within the last few years, their growth trajectories and impact vary considerably.
• Smaller and recently formed parties may struggle to secure representation in national or provincial legislatures due to South Africa’s electoral system.
• It is essential to investigate beyond these brief spotlights to fully understand the ideology and activities of any new political party you may find interesting.

Arise South Africa

Founded: 2022

Leader: Mpho Dagada

Ideology: Describes itself as a broad-based, solutions-oriented political movement prioritizing community involvement. Key issues they target include corruption, inadequate service delivery, unemployment, and crime. While less pronounced in their official messaging, elements of their campaign rhetoric can touch on populist and occasionally anti-immigrant themes.

Note: Relatively new with less publicly available information about their core stances and policy proposals.

Rise Mzansi

Founded: 2022

Leader: Songezo Zibi

Ideology: Centres on issues of land redistribution, economic justice, and addressing corruption. Rise Mzansi places heavy emphasis on anti-immigration sentiments and criticises current land reform policies. They promote patriotic economic ideas in response to challenges facing South Africa.

Note: Their language often features populist messaging aimed at those who feel isolated from the current political climate.

MK Party

Founded: 2023

Leader: Jabulani Sibongiseni Khumalo

Ideology: Launched in Soweto on 16 December 2023 (Reconciliation Day), marking the 62nd anniversary of the founding of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), the party aims to renew the mandate of the original MK that was established in 1961. Former President Jacob Zuma attended the official December campaign in support of the new party. He also announced that he would no longer be voting for the ANC but will remain a member.

All Game Changers

Duduzane Zuma:  Son of former president Jacob Zuma. He has announced his intented formation of a new party: All Game Changers. He has been conducting actions, like public appearances, solidifying his interest in running in the 2024 general elections.

Important Notes

• Both Arise South Africa and Rise Mzansi are new parties still working to establish a political foothold. Their impact and endurance in the South African political arena are still unclear.
• When encountering less established parties, it is always important to consult multiple sources to get a balanced view of their platform and actions.

Independent Candidates

There are independent candidates in South African politics, although the ability to run in national and provincial elections is relatively new. 

Important Notes:

• South Africa has a multi-party system, so many other smaller parties exist beyond this list.
• Political party ideologies can be complicated, and these descriptions serve as a short overview.
• Party standings and influence change over time, due to elections and ongoing political shifts in the country.

Where to Find More Information:

• Wikipedia’s List of Political Parties in South Africa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_South_Africa
• South African Government Listing of Political Parties: https://www.gov.za/links/political-parties-organisations-0
• The Electoral Commission of South Africa: https://www.elections.org.za/

Conclusion

As South Africa gears up for the upcoming elections, the electorate is presented with a wide selection of choices. These political parties of South Africa offer distinct visions for the future of the nation, reflecting the diverse aspirations and concerns of the South African people. Voters are encouraged to engage with the policies and platforms of these parties to make informed decisions at the polls.