Behind the numbers: SA's local election results

Now that the dust has settled, what will South Africa's elections mean for politics and governance in future?

South Africa’s 2016 local government election has been described as a ‘game-changer’.

The ruling African National Congress (ANC)’s support dropped below 60% and the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) made important inroads, with the Economic Freedom Fighters playing kingmaker in key metros.

But what do the numbers actually say about shifts in electoral participation, such as the DA’s support in traditional ANC strongholds and the impact of the urban-rural divide in South African politics? What do the results mean for the 2019 national election and how will they affect the ANC and the country’s governance trajectory?

This seminar is hosted in partnership with the Democracy Works Foundation and Goedgedacht Forum.

Chair: Judith February, Consultant, ISS

Speakers:

  • Dr Collette Shulz-Herzenberg, Lecturer, Stellenbosch University
  • Prof William Gumede, political commentator, author and chair of Democracy Works Foundation
Development partners
This event is made possible with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The ISS is also grateful for support from the following members of the ISS Partnership Forum: the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the USA.
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