Test for ANC as S Africa votes in local polls

AFP, JOHANNESBURG: South Africans voted Wednesday in closely-contested municipal elections that could deal a heavy blow to the African National Congress (ANC), which has ruled since leading the struggle to end apartheid.
Nelson Mandela’s former party risks losing control of key cities including the capital Pretoria, the economic hub Johannesburg and coastal Port Elizabeth, according to some polls.
Development in South Africa has been patchy since Mandela won the first multi-racial elections in 1994, with many black communities still enduring poor housing, inadequate education and a lack of opportunities.
With the economy stalling and unemployment hitting record levels, the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) and the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) both hope to secure major gains.
In Soweto, the Johannesburg township where Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu once lived, residents queued to vote at a school.
“We are tired of this self-serving leadership. People are tired, even grannies are sick and tired of this government,” Nathi Mulaudzi, a 40-year-old unemployed truck driver, told AFP.
But President Jacob Zuma retains widespread support, especially in rural areas, and the ANC’s patronage network and deep coffers could help it maintain a hold in the majority of the 278 municipalities.
“I’m voting for the current government, I am happy with its work,” said 50-year-old Benedict Tuge in Soweto. “A lot of things have changed in this country since 1994.”
The vote is seen by some as a referendum on Zuma, who has been weakened by corruption scandals, court cases and dire economic data, including an unemployment rate of 27 percent and zero percent GDP growth.

Test for ANC as S Africa votes in local polls

AFP, JOHANNESBURG: South Africans voted Wednesday in closely-contested municipal elections that could deal a heavy blow to the African National Congress (ANC), which has ruled since leading the struggle to end apartheid. Nelson Mandelas former party risks losing control of key cities including the capital Pretoria, the economic hub Johannesburg and coastal Port Elizabeth, according to some polls. Development in South Africa has been patchy since Mandela won the first multi-racial elections in 1994, with many black communities still enduring poor housing, inadequate education and a lack of opportunities. With the economy stalling and unemployment hitting record levels, the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) and the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) both hope to secure major gains. In Soweto, the Johannesburg township where Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu once lived, residents queued to vote at a school. We are tired of this self-serving leadership. People are tired, even grannies are sick and tired of this government, Nathi Mulaudzi, a 40-year-old unemployed truck driver, told AFP. But President Jacob Zuma retains widespread support, especially in rural areas, and the ANCs patronage network and deep coffers could help it maintain a hold in the majority of the 278 municipalities. Im voting for the current government, I am happy with its work, said 50-year-old Benedict Tuge in Soweto. A lot of things have changed in this country since 1994. The vote is seen by some as a referendum on Zuma, who has been weakened by corruption scandals, court cases and dire economic data, including an unemployment rate of 27 percent and zero percent GDP growth.