President Cyril Ramaphosa and his ruling African National Congress party face a challenging landscape as criticism over unmet promises and record-high unemployment reaches new heights before the scheduled elections, reports Deutsche Welle.
The key contenders who could make serious political waves on May 29 include the controversial radical leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party Julius Malema and Democratic Alliance’s John Steenhuisen aiming to broaden the party’s appeal. Other notable candidates include Sibongezi Zibi for the new political party RISE Mzansi, Build One South Africa’s Mmusi Maimane, ActionSA’s Herman Mashaba, and Velenkosini Hlabisa from the Inkatha Freedom Party.
South Africa’s top court recently barred former president Jacob Zuma from running in the general election due to his 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court in 2021.
