ELECTIONS 2024 WRAP: Mbeki advises political maturity in KZN, parties impressed with voter turnout amid ‘watershed’ elections

JOHANNESBURG – Various scenarios have played out across the country during South Africa’s elections ahead of the formation of the seventh Parliament.
 
The polls were smudged by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)’s technical glitches that raised the electorate’s frustration, owing to delays and standing in queues for hours before casting their ballots.
 
The recently included third national regional ballot, contested by political parties and independent candidates, also led to explanations to some confused voters.
 
‘WE ARE GOING TO WIN’
 
African National Congress (ANC) deputy secretary general Nomvula Mokonyane expressed her party’s confidence in reigning supreme in the elections.
 
Without holding back, she said: “We are going to win these elections; we are in a coalition with the people of South Africa.”
 
Asked about concerns that the governing party believed it was in any way likely sabotaged in the City of Tshwane regarding continued water cuts, she said: “It’s a disruption because the people of Tshwane have learned that there is nothing hopeful about being residents under a DA [Democratic Alliance] government, and what they have done without any warning to the people of Soshanguve is an act of desperation.”
 
‘LET’S PERSEVERE’
 
Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane was impressed with the voter turnout on election day.
 
Speaking to Eyewitness News at the results operating centre at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, he expressed pride with the electorate.
 
“Today [Wednesday] has been a unique day. South Africans have gone out. Citizens we’ve spoken to are demanding change. This is a change election, and ultimately there’s an enthusiasm out there that I felt… We can’t put up with load shedding and unemployment.”
 
He said he was aware of frustrations as people were in snaking queues just before sunset.
 
“Let’s persevere, this is worth our democracy. Let’s stick it out and stay in the lines and vote.”
 
He referred to the IEC’s technical glitches that slowed down the voting process at various stations across the country, adding he didn’t think people were well-informed about the three ballots.
 
Maimane said the IEC’s voter management devices’ malfunction was “a permanent problem” of the IEC.
 
CALLS FOR ANC RENEWAL
 
Former statesman Thabo Mbeki said the ANC “must renew itself”, as he spoke to the fears of violence and intimidation in KwaZulu-Natal – which is highly contested.
 
He spoke on the sidelines after he voted in Killarney, Johannesburg.
 
“It is important that all the political parties in KZN must respect the democratic process and [there shouldn’t be] great obstacles or intimidation…
 
“Let the people of KZN decide whoever they want to decide. I would really appeal to everybody to do that. The police service must very vigilant and not allow any lawlessness. Nobody has the right to do anything illegal in order to impose a particular democratic outcome.”
 
Making reference to perceived political squabbles in KZN, he said: “Anybody in that province who says, ‘I am leader of people’ looks after people and does not go about beating up people and intimidating them and so on. I really hope that leadership will play its role.”
 
‘WE’RE IN WINNING MODE’
 
Responding to Mbeki, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhela said the ANC was “fearful of what has happened in KZN”.
 
“KZN is a stronghold of the IFP [Inkatha Freedom Party], it was a stronghold for the ANC. It’s our stronghold now as the MK Party.”
 
He said it’s expected that the ANC are concerned about the MK Party’s inroads in the province.
 
“We’re not worried. People want to see change… we're not in defensive mode. We’re in winning mode. You know, we’re in campaign mode, we’re in change modes, we're in transition mode. We’re in emancipation and liberation mode,” said Ndhlela, adding: “We'll accept the results as long as they are free and fair.”
 
Ndhlela went on to accuse the IEC of having a political agenda against the MK Party.
 
“The conduct of the IEC has raised a lot of issues for us, you know, they've been too invested in the process as well, which then led them to be borderline political, in terms of how they were engaging with us. And by virtue of that, that raises concerns.”
 
CHANGE IS IMMINENT
 
RISE Mzansi national spokesperson Gugu Ndima said the country’s electorate showed determination to change the political landscape, while also noting the challenges to the voting process earlier on the day.
 
“Look, it has been quite great, the IEC has worked immensely hard, despite the technicalities. They’ve mentioned that there were certain issues with regards to scanning, people who have registered elsewhere who couldn’t vote elsewhere. But the turnout is quite positive.
 
“I am very happy with South Africans coming out today to exercise their constitutional right. I say that they’re serious about changing politics and reconfiguring it in South Africa.”
 
Ndhlela was rather lenient in his response to the IEC’s shortfalls.
 
“We've had a bittersweet moment today [Wednesday]. But it’s a day we've been waiting for and we're finally here. And naturally, it's an election process. There will be glitches.
 
“You can expect system glitches, you can expect certain things, certain voting stations open late. But once you started getting things going, you know, we realised smooth, smooth flow of things.”
 
Hope4SA secretary general Dianne Kruger said setbacks of long queues at various stations were noted.
 
“The good news is a lot of it was spotted by agents and people on the ground and was rectified. And that's always good, we can make mistakes, but we need to rectify them.
 
“There are some that have still got some grievances at the moment… people kept showing up a lot more than they had before. I think we're in for a watershed election, I think what's happening, the vibe, what you're seeing is going to be amazing. So, we really much looking forward to the results.”