The Inkatha Freedom Party’s support remains entrenched in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The results of three by-elections held in rural wards in the Midlands last week also indicate that the rival African National Congress has lost some of its support base.
The IFP, while maintaining its lead in Ixopo’s ward three, was down from 93,16% in the local government elections in 2000 to 80,2%, while in Izingolweni’s ward five its support dropped from 70% to 63,54%. But the party increased its support base in Bergville’s ward nine to 84,95% from 77,19%.
The ANC, on the other hand, found that its support had dropped from 6,8% in the local elections of 2000 to 5,1% in Ixopo and from 17,62% to 15,06% in Bergville. The ANC, however, managed to enhance its takings in Izingolweni from 24,2% to 36,46%.
Meanwhile, a recent Markinor poll indicates that opposition parties that rely on the minority vote to deliver them to Parliament will have their work cut out for them in 2004.
According to the opinion poll, whites, Indians and coloureds are becoming increasingly apathetic about political participation.
At least 42% of the whites interviewed by Markinor indicated that they would not register to vote in 2004. About 33% of the Indians and 24% of the coloureds interviewed also said they would not register.
According to Markinor, more than four in every 10 white voters, a quarter of coloured voters and a third of Indian voters are not likely to vote.