South African National Elections Slated for May 29

February 27, 2024

South Africa will hold national and provincial elections on Wednesday,May 29, 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said on Tuesday.

It is expected to be the most competitive election since the apartheid system ended.

Political pundits posit that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party may lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994, due to poor service delivery, rolling power outages and high levels of unemployment.

Apart from the national elections, electorates will also vote for a new National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each of the country’s nine provinces before the National Assembly elects the president.

South Africa's President Ramaphosa Stands Firm on ANC's Legacy Amidst Election Preparations — JOHANNESBURG: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa gives a speech to launch the 55th National Conference of the African National Congress (ANC) at the National Recreation Center (NASREC) on Dec 16, 2022. – AFP

President Ramaphosa is seeking a second term as president after struggling to improve economic growth since taking over from Jacob Zuma as president in 2018.

“The 2024 elections coincide with South Africa’s celebration of 30 years of freedom and democracy,” Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement.

“Therefore, President Ramaphosa calls on all eligible voters to fully participate in this important and historic milestone of our democratic calendar.”