Jorge V. Jaime

The African National Congress (ANC) is celebrating 20 years of multiracial, democratic government in South Africa, with another definitive electoral victory, and a second term for President Jacob Zuma. With votes from 20,500 poling stations (of 22,260 in total) counted, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) confirmed the ANC victory in eight of nine provinces in the country, with more than 9.9 million votes in their favor.

The freedom movement which defeated apartheid, with the iconic leadership of Nelson Mandela, demonstrated before the world that its great conection with the people of the Rainbow Nation had not diminished after two decades in power, despite the understandable political wear-and-tear the responsibility entails.

The IEC reported that 16 million votes have been counted, more than 92% of the national total, with the ANC receiving a clear majority, 62.7% of the vote; triple that of votes in favor of the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, DA (the white minority’s group), which was reelected to government in the southern province of Western Cape, where the capital Cape Town - the second most populous city in the country - is located.

The people of South African came out in force and voted for a party that has implemented numerous, effective programs to combat unemployment, poverty, medical shortages and promote social justice. The overwhelming support of the population silenced the voices of the opposition, who predicted the defeat of Zuma and the ANC, now celebrating the Party’s fifth successive electoral victory.

Established on January 8, 1912, at the Waaihoek Wesleyan Church in Bloemfontein, today the ANC’s official membership is an estimated 1.5 million members, in addition to hundreds of thousands of voluntary activists throughout the multiethnic nation. A member of Socialist International, the ANC is the oldest national liberation movement in the continent. Its principal agenda is based on The National Democratic Revolution - a social system that prioritizes the intellectual, educational and economic empowerment of citizens.

The percentage of South Africans living in extreme poverty has decreased from 41% in 1994 (when the ANC first arrived to Union Buildings) to 31%, according to World Bank statistics. Currently, more than 16 million people receive state subsidies.

Since the first democratic government, led by Mandela, the domestic economy has grown on average 3.3% annually, while national wealth, in terms of gross domestic product has increased more than 3.5 trillion rands (almost 300 billion dollars).

Currently, around 15 million people are employed in South Africa, the highest number in the country’s history and as of 2013 the country had the biggest macro economy on the continent. Last year alone, 650,000 new jobs were created.

After the national elections on May 7, three new minority political parties will, for the first time, have at least one parliamentary representative: the Economic Freedom Fighters, National Freedom Party, and African Independent Congress.

Surprisingly the Democratic Alliance, DA, defeated traditionalist Inkatha Freedom Party in their home state of KwaZulu-Natal, a disappointing result for the organization led by Gatsha Mangosuthu Buthelezi since 1975.

South Africa is a parliamentary republic and thus does not hold presidential elections. In the coming days representatives that make up the majority in Parliament and the Council of Provinces (lower house) will be appointed by Zuma.