ANC likely to get 60% – analyst

Despite the EFF likely to gain a sizeable number of votes due to growing youth support, the ANC is likely to win the vote by above 60% in Wednesday’s polls, with the DA numbers expected to remain unchanged, according to a political expert.

In his assessment on how political parties have shaped up in the run-up to elections, University of Johannesburg academic Dr David Monyae, yesterday said campaigns of all parties have been “colourful and drew huge numbers to public gatherings”.

“But the DA seems to be struggling to gain more black votes due to coming up with ambiguous sounding messages when it comes to such issues as BEE, land redistribution and affirmative action,” said Monyae.

“The other problem for the DA has been in the Western Cape, where its former leader Helen Zille continued to make controversial statements, something which made Mmusi Maimane’s job as leader hard. On the other hand, Maimane’s messaging during campaigning has been good.”

Monyae said the ANC has been “very worried about the rapid growth of the EFF, which has been chewing new voters”.

He said: “If you win over young people, chances are that they will drag with them the elderly.

“Because of regaining the black elite in Gauteng, the ANC is likely to retain the province under David Makhura as premier.”

Asked about the perception of the ANC seen to be tolerant of corruption, he said: “With the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture in place, a new National Prosecuting Authority boss appointed, changes made in the leadership of the SA Revenue Service and SA Police Service, there is a growing public perception that President Cyril Ramaphosa is doing something about corruption.”

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