Official South African election results for 2009:
ANC – 11,650,748 votes (65.90 %)
DA – 2,945,829 votes (16.66%)
COPE – 1,311,027 votes (7.42%)
IFP – 804,260 votes (4.55%)
ID – 162,915 votes (0.92%)
OTHER – 805,950 votes (4.56%)
—————————————————–
Total valid votes counted: 17,680,729
Number of registered voters: 23.18 million
Total population: 48 million (including 10 million under voting age)
Voter turnout: 77.3% of registered voters
Spoiled votes: 239,237
—————————————————-
PARLIAMENTARY SEAT ALLOCATION
ANC – 264 seats
DA – 67 seats
COPE – 30 seats
IFP – 18 seats
ID – 4 seats
UDM – 4 seats
VF PLUS – 4 seats
ACDP – 3 seats
UCDP – 2 seats
PAC – 1 seat
APC – 1 seat
AZAPO – 1 seat
MF – 1 seat
Source:defenceWEB
Many South Africans are breathing a sigh of relief. The official election results, announced on Saturday 25 April, show that the ANC narrowly missed the dreaded two-thirds majority mark – a psychological victory for opposition parties and their supporters. It is precarious for a country to be in the hands of unbridled power, especially when the ruling government boasts a history of blatant nepotism and corruption and is fronted by the kingpin of injustice. Whether the constitution is practically and consistently applied as the cornerstone of South African democracy is another matter, the point here is: the ANC cannot unilaterally change it. That’s good news and a welcome check on the left wing ideals of new president Jacob Zuma. With the world recession finally dawning on South Africa and with foreign investors being forced to pull their cash out of the country, Zuma faces the immediate challenge of ensuring the maintenance of economic stability – another momentary power check. Key for markets is whether or not Zuma will decide to give Finance Minister Trevor Manuel the boot. The world keenly awaits the announcement of Zuma’s cabinet. The decrepit criminal justice system of South Africa has clearly proved to be no match for the likes of Zuma and his cronies and it will be interesting to see how the man who bears the cult-like status of a god, is held accountable for the decisions he makes as the president of a country.
Disappointingly, the numbers reveal that many South Africans have an attitude of apathy when it comes to voting. Of the remaining 38 million South Africans eligible to vote, 23.18 million were registered to vote and of those registered, only 17,680,729 did vote. That leaves a deficit of 20 319 271 million. Around 20 million South Africans did not vote. The figure speaks for itself.
When comparing the 2009 election results with the previous election results from 2004, two things become clear: the ANC has lost support and the DA has gained support. In 2004 the ANC won a convincing two-thirds majority with 69.69% (279 seats) of the vote and the DA was sitting with 12.37% (50 seats) of the vote. In 2009 the ANC holds 65.9% of the vote and the DA holds 16.66%. This election, Cope has taken over as the official opposition in Free State, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Northern Cape and the DA boasts an exciting 50%+ majority in the Western Cape. In 2004 the DA held 27.11% of the votes in the Western Cape and the ANC 45.25%. This is a massive victory. There is no doubt that new Western Cape premier Helen Zille will prove to be a loud voice in parliament over the next five years. It is great that the opposition is catching up a bit but it still has a mountain, a very large mountain, to climb in order to challenge the ANC. An article in News24 reports that Zille, who has been trying to promote the restructure of the political system, says her party is looking at forming “one big power” to take on the ANC in the next election. Perhaps this is the only way to break the shackles of the ANC. The mindset of a nation has to be challenged. A mindset that should not be manipulated through bribery, corruption and the undermining of the constitutional values that formulate South African democracy, but through hard work and promises kept. To break the stranglehold that Zuma and his ANC compadres have on South Africa, an effort from opposition parties and voters alike is required. Not just required but demanded. Citizens must vote. Parties must climb that mountain. It is the responsible thing to do. Idealistic? Yes. Impossible? Perhaps. Without hope, change is futile.
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The numbers have their say
Official South African election results for 2009:
ANC – 11,650,748 votes (65.90 %)
DA – 2,945,829 votes (16.66%)
COPE – 1,311,027 votes (7.42%)
IFP – 804,260 votes (4.55%)
ID – 162,915 votes (0.92%)
OTHER – 805,950 votes (4.56%)
—————————————————–
Total valid votes counted: 17,680,729
Number of registered voters: 23.18 million
Total population: 48 million (including 10 million under voting age)
Voter turnout: 77.3% of registered voters
Spoiled votes: 239,237
—————————————————-
PARLIAMENTARY SEAT ALLOCATION
ANC – 264 seats
DA – 67 seats
COPE – 30 seats
IFP – 18 seats
ID – 4 seats
UDM – 4 seats
VF PLUS – 4 seats
ACDP – 3 seats
UCDP – 2 seats
PAC – 1 seat
APC – 1 seat
AZAPO – 1 seat
MF – 1 seat
Source:defenceWEB
Disappointingly, the numbers reveal that many South Africans have an attitude of apathy when it comes to voting. Of the remaining 38 million South Africans eligible to vote, 23.18 million were registered to vote and of those registered, only 17,680,729 did vote. That leaves a deficit of 20 319 271 million. Around 20 million South Africans did not vote. The figure speaks for itself.
When comparing the 2009 election results with the previous election results from 2004, two things become clear: the ANC has lost support and the DA has gained support. In 2004 the ANC won a convincing two-thirds majority with 69.69% (279 seats) of the vote and the DA was sitting with 12.37% (50 seats) of the vote. In 2009 the ANC holds 65.9% of the vote and the DA holds 16.66%. This election, Cope has taken over as the official opposition in Free State, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Northern Cape and the DA boasts an exciting 50%+ majority in the Western Cape. In 2004 the DA held 27.11% of the votes in the Western Cape and the ANC 45.25%. This is a massive victory. There is no doubt that new Western Cape premier Helen Zille will prove to be a loud voice in parliament over the next five years. It is great that the opposition is catching up a bit but it still has a mountain, a very large mountain, to climb in order to challenge the ANC. An article in News24 reports that Zille, who has been trying to promote the restructure of the political system, says her party is looking at forming “one big power” to take on the ANC in the next election. Perhaps this is the only way to break the shackles of the ANC. The mindset of a nation has to be challenged. A mindset that should not be manipulated through bribery, corruption and the undermining of the constitutional values that formulate South African democracy, but through hard work and promises kept. To break the stranglehold that Zuma and his ANC compadres have on South Africa, an effort from opposition parties and voters alike is required. Not just required but demanded. Citizens must vote. Parties must climb that mountain. It is the responsible thing to do. Idealistic? Yes. Impossible? Perhaps. Without hope, change is futile.
Other posts you might like: