The African National Congress remains the strongest political party in the country, although its support seems to have decreased since the 2009 general election, according to a survey released on Monday.
An Ipsos Markinor survey found the ANC had the support of most South Africans of 18 years and older — at 56,6% — including registered voters and likely voters.
It was followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA), at 19,3%, and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), at 2,1%.
There was 1,2% support for the Congress of the People, 0,5% for the United Democratic Movement and 0,8% each for the African People’s Convention, the African Christian Democratic Party, and the Minority Front.
They were followed by the Pan-Africanist Congress, with 0,3%, and the Azanian People’s Organisation, Freedom Front Plus, Christian Democratic Alliance, National Alliance African Muslim Party and the United Christian Democratic Party, with 0,2% each.
‘Sense of the mood’
Meanwhile, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe put his “neck on a block” on Monday and predicted that voter turnout would exceed that of the 2006 polls.
“It’s going to be better than 48% … because I’ve been there, we’ve talked to people, we have a sense of the mood,” he said at a meeting with political journalists and editors.
“Our [the ANC’s] support on the white vote is going to increase,” he said.
Voter apathy was a concern ahead of the municipal election, with South Africans generally focusing more on national polls.
There was a 48% poll in the last local government election.
The Independent Electoral Commission has launched a “Love your SA” campaign to get more people to vote.
Mantashe’s said the “mood” this year was “close to that of the national election”. “The turnout’s going to be better this time,” he said.
He said the ANC’s election campaign had been a “good” one, and that the party had been to “every corner of the country” to drum up support.
The ANC wrapped up its campaign with a rally at FNB Stadium on Sunday. It drew a crowd of 91 000. – Sapa