In the recent by-elections held yesterday, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party experienced disappointing results, securing only 5% of the votes. This outcome aligns with ongoing trends observed over the past 18 months. Notably, the African National Congress (ANC) encountered significant difficulties in the uMvoti region of KwaZulu-Natal, indicating potential national implications for the ruling party.
One of the contested wards, uMvoti in KwaZulu-Natal (ward 2), witnessed the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) taking the lead with 53% of the votes, marking a significant increase of 27%. Meanwhile, the ANC experienced a decline, securing only 24% of the votes, a decrease of 24%. This outcome highlights the ANC’s deepening troubles within KwaZulu-Natal. Given the province’s size and political influence, this situation carries potential consequences at the national level. On the other hand, the ANC managed to maintain a strong position in the Eastern Cape, a trend that has persisted for some time.
In Port St. Johns, Eastern Cape (ward 2), the ANC maintained its dominance with 72% of the votes, indicating a minor increase of 1%. The Democratic Alliance (DA) party saw improvements, securing 22% of the votes, an increase of 12%. However, the EFF experienced a setback, garnering only 5% of the votes, a decrease of 4%. The ANC’s steady position in Port St. Johns is noteworthy, while the DA’s notable progress can be attributed to its ability to attract votes from other parties, such as the United Democratic Movement (UDM).
Another contested ward, Kou-Kamma in the Eastern Cape (ward 5), demonstrated a more balanced distribution of voters between the colored and black communities. The ANC secured 46% of the votes, experiencing a decline of 4%. The Patriotic Alliance (PA) party made significant strides, garnering 37% of the votes, an impressive increase of 24%. The DA, however, faced challenges, securing only 12% of the votes, a significant decrease of 15%. Notably, the PA’s success in winning over the majority-colored voting districts indicates a growing influence within the colored electorate in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape regions. The DA, as a result, should be concerned about this development.
It is crucial to consider a key local factor in the Port St. Johns ward, where the previous ward councillor had passed away. Despite the PA making significant inroads and the DA losing ground, the ANC exhibited its resilience in retaining this ward, a characteristic often associated with the Eastern Cape region.
The PA’s growth, particularly in the Clarkson voting district, demonstrates the shifting dynamics within the local electorate. The ANC’s support in this district declined from 53% to 34%, while the DA experienced a significant decrease from 29% to 17%. Moreover, the PA secured victory in the Gustav Reichel voting district in Eersterivier, south of Clarkson, where its support rose from a mere 3% to an impressive 45%. Meanwhile, the ANC’s share remained at 36%, while the DA’s support plummeted from 42% to 18%.
One significant aspect for the ANC was its success in the Woodlands voting district, which holds the second-highest number of registered voters in the ward. This district witnessed a higher voter turnout of 67%, compared to 47% in Clarkson. While the ANC experienced a decline from 56% to 51% in support, the PA made substantial progress, increasing from 22% to 42%.
