Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Johannesburg (Fides Service) -“These elections are marked by disappointment, indeed much disappointment” Scalabrini Father Mario, of “Scalabrini Development Agency” in Cape Town tells Fides with regard to legislative and local elections, and the atmosphere as South Africans go to the polls on April 14. Ten years since the end of apartheid these are the third free elections involving all South Africans regardless of race or colour. Father Mario takes stock of the past 10 years: “The National African Congress party which fought for years to eliminate apartheid has always won, dominating the political scene in South Africa over the last ten years. However in recent years there is growing disappointment among the people for broken promises. Some are quite frankly demagogic, such as the promise to provide in a short period of time homes for 5 or 6 million people. This promise was unrealistic because the funds are simply not available”. A consequence of this disappointment is a drop in the number of voters. Registered eligible voters are 21 million, called to vote in 16,966 polling stations. However another 7 million voters are not registered. “This is because in rural areas registry offices are few and far between and so there are millions of South Africans who for the state do not exist because they have no identity papers” Father Mario told Fides. “In addition people are not used to voting and they feel no need to register. Then there are those who are disappointed”.
The voters will elect 400 members of the National Assembly and members of minor Assemblies in 9 provinces. On 23 April South Africans will vote for their President.
The candidates belong to 37 different parties, 11 of which are present at both the national and provincial level. In 1994 the National African Congress (ANC) won the elections with 62.6% of the votes. Thanks to the ANC victory Nelson Mandela, the party’s historic leader, became South Africa’s first black President. Mandela had been released from prison 3 years earlier after spending 27 years in the jail under the rule of apartheid. In 1999 ANC won again with 66.4% votes. Mandela retired from national politics and Thabo Mbeki who this year is running for a second presidential mandate took his place.
The ANC is expected to win, “although the party led by Patricia Lille, who left the ANC some years ago. Patricia Lille is supported particularly by half-castes” Father Mario told Fides.
The election results will be given on 19 April (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 14/4/2004, righe parole)
