In the Eastern Cape’s village of Qunu, a foundational battleground for the African National Congress (ANC), the loyalty of the rural electorate is wavering under the weight of economic and social challenges. As South Africa gears up for the pivotal May 29 elections, the generational divide in these rural strongholds could redefine the ANC’s longstanding dominance.
The Dual Faces of Loyalty and Discontent
Qunu, Nelson Mandela’s birthplace, is emblematic of the broader struggles facing rural South Africa. While older residents maintain a strong affinity for the ANC, crediting it with their hard-won freedom and some level of social support, including pension grants, the younger generation voices a starkly different reality. They confront a daily life marred by high unemployment, rising crime, and a dearth of essential services, such as reliable water supply, which the community has lacked since 2016.
“The respect for the ANC, instilled by our parents who experienced the liberation struggle, is deeply rooted,” explains Mzwandile Mthembu, a 65-year-old local. “But the young people are right to question what the ANC has done lately.”
Across the street, 37-year-old Lungile Xozwa represents the growing faction of the youth disillusioned by what they perceive as the ANC’s unfulfilled promises. “Mandela’s era was transformative, but what now? Our basic needs are unmet, and our potential unfulfilled,” he asserts, standing in front of his modest home.
A Shifting Political Landscape
The upcoming elections could mark a historic shift, with the ANC potentially losing its majority for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994. Political analysts point to a disillusioned electorate, particularly in urban areas where the ANC’s vote share plummeted in recent elections. However, in rural provinces like the Eastern Cape, where the ANC historically garnered strong support, the loyalty is now being tested by a generational split.
“A significant portion of the youth in Qunu has never held a job, and they are questioning the ANC’s legacy,” notes Nokwanele Balizulu, a respected elder in the village. This sentiment resonates across the province, where basic services like electricity and water supply have seen marked declines.
With national unemployment nearing record highs and basic service delivery faltering, many young voters express a readiness to explore alternatives to the ANC. The leftist Economic Freedom Fighters and the pro-business Democratic Alliance are vying for these disaffected voices, though no single opposition party has yet to emerge as the clear alternative.
“This election isn’t just about choosing leaders. It’s about deciding whether to continue supporting a party out of historical loyalty or to seek new solutions for our pressing problems,” states Phila Gogozayo, a 24-year-old unemployed resident.
Amidst this backdrop, the outcome of the rural vote is more uncertain than ever. While some, like Thabisa Madiba, a 35-year-old local, still lean towards the ANC—”better the devil you know,” she says—the overall mood suggests a potential shift towards new political leadership, driven by the younger generation’s demand for tangible improvements to their living conditions.
Source: Reuters
