What Is 2019 South African general elections

Overview

The 2019 South African general elections marked the sixth national democratic vote since the end of apartheid in 1994. Held on May 8, 2019, these elections determined the composition of the National Assembly and all nine provincial legislatures.

Organized by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the process allowed over 26 million registered voters to participate. The results confirmed the African National Congress (ANC) as the ruling party, though with a reduced majority compared to previous elections.

• Over 26 million people were registered to vote, reflecting continued high civic engagement across diverse demographics and provinces.
• The ANC secured 57.5% of the vote, down from 62.1% in 2014, signaling voter concerns over corruption and economic stagnation.
• The Democratic Alliance (DA) received 20.77%, maintaining its position as the official opposition party.
• The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) gained ground with 10.8%, showcasing growing support for radical economic transformation policies.
• 27 political parties contested the national election, illustrating a diversifying but still ANC-dominated political landscape.

How It Works

South Africa's electoral system combines proportional representation with party-list voting, determining seat allocation in both national and provincial legislatures.

• Term: Members of the National Assembly serve a five-year term. The 2019 elections determined the makeup of the 27th Parliament, which convened in May 2019.
• Proportional Representation: Seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes each party receives, ensuring broad party representation in Parliament.
• Party Lists: Political parties submit ranked candidate lists; seats are filled in order based on vote share and total seats won.
• Voting Age: All South African citizens aged 18 and older are eligible to vote, including those living abroad under certain conditions.
• Ballot Structure: Voters select a party, not an individual candidate, on a single ballot paper for both national and provincial elections.
• Seat Allocation: The 400 National Assembly seats are distributed proportionally using the Droop quota method after all votes are counted.
• IEC Oversight: The Independent Electoral Commission managed logistics, voter registration, and results certification, ensuring transparency and fairness.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of major party performance between the 2014 and 2019 general elections:

The table shows a shift in voter sentiment, with the ANC losing support while smaller parties like the EFF and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) gained traction. This reflects growing political pluralism and regional variations in voter preference, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

Why It Matters

The 2019 election had significant implications for South Africa’s governance, economy, and social policies. It marked the first national vote after Jacob Zuma’s resignation and Cyril Ramaphosa’s rise to ANC leadership.

• ANC leadership transition under Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized anti-corruption reforms, influencing voter perception and party credibility.
• Lower voter turnout of 65.9%, down from 73% in 2014, raised concerns about youth disengagement and political apathy.
• Coalition dynamics in metro councils intensified, especially in Johannesburg and Tshwane, where no party held outright majorities.
• EFF’s expanded presence with 44 seats strengthened its role as a vocal opposition force in parliamentary debates.
• Provincial shifts included the DA retaining control of the Western Cape with 55% of the vote, highlighting regional political divides.
• Electoral integrity was upheld by the IEC, with minimal fraud reported, reinforcing public trust in the democratic process.

The 2019 elections reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to democratic principles while exposing challenges like inequality, unemployment, and corruption that continue to shape its political discourse.