Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Johannesburg (Fides Service)- “The South African electorate gave great credit of confidence to the National African Congress (NAC), which now bears the great responsibility of given trust” spokesman of Southern African Bishops’ Conference, Father Efrem Tresoldi, told Fides commenting the results released today, 19 April, of legislative and local elections in South Africa on 14 April. The voters confirmed the NAC as first national party with 69.68% of the votes. “The confirmation of the NAC is a sign that on the whole the electorate is satisfied with the policies adopted by this party which has governed the country for 10 years since the end of apartheid” Father Tresoldi told Fides. “Signals of malcontent registered by the press before the election were not as strong as they seemed at first”.
“It must be said that the elections were free and fair and there was no violence. National and international observers say there was no fraud” Father Tresoldi said. “Much appreciated was the work of the independent electoral commission which showed great organisation capacity and in fact the results were announced three days afterwards instead of 6 days as in the 1999 elections”.
“With almost two thirds of the votes the NAC has in theory to ability to change the constitution” Father Tresoldi continues. “I doubt that it will because the constitution is a good one and it guarantees respect for all the minorities and has a strong leaning towards social justice”. he says that social justice will be one major challenge for the new government: “Compared to the times of apartheid South Africa has taken giant steps forward in the social field but much remains to be done. In several provinces social services are poor, particularly assistance. For example: pensioners queue for a whole day in front of the post offices to get their pension. When they eventually get to the desk they are told to come back the next day because there is no money left. One thing the country lacks are state workers who are motivated and well trained”.
On the political level Father Tresoldi notes “the re-dimensioning of the New National Party, heir of the party of white supporters of Apartheid, which has only 7 of its former 29 seats, and to affirmation of the new Party of independent Democrats led by Patricia de Lille, which won 7 seats”.
At the provincial level the NAC won in 8 out of 9 provinces. The situation remains uncertain in the KwaZulu-Natal province where the Inkatha, representing the Zulu, is trying to form a coalition with minor parties, to obtain a 51% majority in order to govern.
Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of Inkatha, reported episodes of electoral fraud. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/4/2004, righe 41 parole 497)
