Has the ANC Quietly Regained Ground in South Africa's Political Landscape?

Amid the Government of National Unity's controversies, the ANC appears to have stabilised, raising questions about its future in South African politics.

The formation of the Government of National Unity was a celebratory moment for many South Africans. However, for others, it was unexpected that it would be an entity exposing the weaknesses of minority parties. Various political parties have occupied the headlines over great controversies that threaten their political success in the upcoming elections.

Without a shadow of a doubt, many individuals already knew the weaknesses of the former ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), which has been riddled with cases of corruption, mismanagement, factionalism, and a lack of unified thinking. The bar was considerably low for the ANC, as affirmed by its fall below the 50% majority it once held with great confidence. Yet, through what seems to be a more unified and statesmanlike approach, the ANC has managed to organize itself and address many of the issues that once plagued it.

Even after rumors filled the media during the negotiations to form the GNU, the ANC seems to have taken a political backseat, handling the removal of former President Jacob Zuma gracefully and without the usual chaos. Coupled with 150+ days without load shedding, the ANC appears to be one of the few political parties functioning effectively. It seems to have cleaned up its act to some extent. How this will impact them in the coming months and future elections is hard to tell, but compared to their political opposition, they appear to be the only entity without a significant degree of controversy.

The Democratic Alliance continues to face controversy through its political leaders. Renaldo Gouws, a Member of Parliament, had videos resurfaced showing his use of racist language, exposing the DA’s potential tolerance for ultra-conservative and even racist MPs. Although Renaldo Gouws has been suspended, he continues to fulfill his duties as an MP. This was accompanied by the appointment of Roman Cabanac, a conservative right-wing individual, by the President of the DA and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, raising questions about the DA's commitment to governing for all South Africans.

Furthermore, comments from Helen Zille, who denounced the GNU, stating, “The truth is that we (DA and ANC) are actually in a coalition because a coalition means that if a party withdraws from the coalition, the party falls,” showed her lack of commitment and, by extension, her party’s commitment to being part of a government that advances the needs and interests of the average South African.

The political left in South Africa, which once stood for the rights and desires of the people, has also been under immense pressure and attack. The VBS scandal implicated the EFF and, more importantly, the President of the EFF, Julius Malema, and former deputy Floyd Shivambu, making the party that once stood for accountability and the people seem hypocritical and unaligned with the principles it once held.

This situation worsened with the public exit of Floyd Shivambu, who opted to join the Mkhonto we Sizwe party, led by former President Jacob Zuma. This further exposed the disagreement and lack of democratic rule within the EFF, revealing Julius Malema’s lack of control over the party he co-founded with Shivambu. Many now believe this signals the political end for both Malema and the EFF, which once held significant sway over the South African population.

At the center of all this is the GNU, led by the ANC. Uniquely, the ANC's absence from controversy has led to many political parties exposing their own internal weaknesses. Even parties such as ActionSA and the Patriotic Alliance were heavily implicated after their leaders engaged in xenophobic and Afrophobic rhetoric towards Chidimma Adetshina. When her nationality came into question, prima facie evidence suggested her mother had been involved in identity fraud, leading President Thabo Mbeki to label Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie as “anti-revolutionary.” Many of these parties have failed to demonstrate their commitment to the broader South African public.

As many of these political parties take their first opportunity to govern, the question arises: Was the GNU a moment used to expose the weak points and lack of governance capacity of many minority parties, or has the GNU forced the ANC to elevate its approach to governance?

Regardless of how it is viewed, the ANC is the only party that has been able to govern and function as a unified political entity, independent of individual personalities. This may lead to the ANC regaining the ground it once lost, or it may drive voters toward more politically extreme parties. Only time will tell.