“We Will Be There”: The Public Eager to Vote the ANC Out After Election Day Announcement
The stage is ready and the date set in stone. South Africans can now begin clearing their schedules as the official election date for the 2024 general national and provincial elections has been confirmed to be the 29th of May 2024.
Incumbent president of the African National Congress (ANC) and of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, released the statement formally on the evening of the 20th of February, the eve of the national budget speech.
In the statement, the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa stated on its social media platforms: “President @CyrilRamaphosa has in accordance with section 49(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, read with section 17 of the Electoral act of 1998, determined 29 May 2024, as the date for the 2024 General National and Provincial elections.”
Thirty years after the country adopted a universal adult suffrage system when it comes to election, the ANC has not lost during an elections, retaining the majority of voters through the years. The 2019 elections saw the party win an overwhelming 230 seats followed closely by the Democratic Alliance and the Julius Malema-founded Economic Freedom Fighters.
Over the years, since the ANC has been in power, the party has been steadily losing seats since former president of the country Jacob Zuma came into power back 2009 after Thabo Mbheki’s double tenure. So, in as much as the ANC haven’t lost their seat of power, ongoing societal and political issues such as impudence in corruption, the ongoing power crisis, and ever-rising rates of unemployment, faith in the party has been diminishing.
It is no wonder that South Africans came out in their droves to celebrate the announcement of the official date, which will also earn citizens an extra public holiday. Many have united under the “We will be there” slogan, emphasising the importance of the day while eyeing the historic unseating of the party.
@thandolomanzini tweeted a meme of a man in bed with his clothes ready for the next day, saying, “How we’re sleeping on the 28th of May.”
@kay_mahapa tweeted a meme of Mbappe, who at the time was speaking on his stay with PSG, with the quote: “I will be there no matter what.”
@nathimkh_ was succinct in his appraisal, tweeting an old Fikile Mbalula post making a mockery of a protest, with the caption: “ANC downfall. We will be there.”
What about you? Have you registered to vote? Will you be there?