The race for the economic hub of South Africa, Gauteng, remains undecided as new parties have emerged and are influencing the outcome. With just over 30 per cent of the votes counted so far. The ANC leads with the DA closely catching up followed by the EFF.
DID THE PEOPLE OF GAUTENG REJECT ANC?
DA's Member of Gauteng Legislature, Mike Moriarty, said that there was no doubt that the people of Gauteng had rejected the ANC. "There is a huge rejection of the ANC as a government. One very pleasing aspect was that people were prepared to stand in queues for hours, despite all the fiasco. People were determined - and, as the DA, we are very grateful," Moriarty said. Gauteng is currently under the ANC with Panyaza Lesufi as premier. The province has been under the ruling party since the dawn of democracy in 1994.
EMERGENCE OF NEW PARTIES
The parties are patiently waiting and watching as results kept trickling in. MK Party is making strides in KwaZulu Natal and their mark across other provinces Thabang Kani, MK's Provincial Coordinator in Gauteng, stated their goal is to maintain their position at the top and achieve a two thirds majority. "We had challenges in the voting stations, but it is something to look at in the future. We never planned for any coalition marriage. Our goal is clear, we want a two thirds majority and if we don't get it, we are going to continue to work hard until the mandate is reached. We will be ready to govern the country when South African people give us power to change the constitution," he said. IFP's provincial chair Bonginkosi Dlamini said that it was too early to be panicking about the numbers. He said the party did exceptionally well during their campaign and that they were visible in all the provinces including Gauteng. "Let's wait and keep counting," he said.
Vuyiswa Ramakgopa, Rise Mzansi premier candidate, expressed excitement over their party's performance, considering they are only a year old. They believe that people have faith in their vision and will continue to work hard.
