Mantashe says ANC's electoral decline is a sign of South Africa's maturing democracy
Speaking to Clement Manyathela on 702, Mantashe said the growing number of political parties competing for votes shows that South Africans are increasingly exploring their political choices.
Anelitha Fandese
ANC national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe. Picture: X/GwedeMantashe1
X/GwedeMantashe1
African National Congress (ANC) chairperson Gwede Mantashe said the party's declining electoral support reflects South Africa's maturing democracy.
Speaking to Clement Manyathela on 702, Mantashe said the growing number of political parties competing for votes shows that South Africans are increasingly exploring their political choices.
He said this is a healthy development for democracy, as voters exercise their right to choose who they want in government.
Mantashe, however, believes smaller parties have largely benefited from criticising the ANC, and argued that none can match the ruling party's historical contribution to the country.
He said it's also too early to draw firm conclusions about the ANC's electoral performance, and suggested that the party's declining support should be viewed within the broader evolution of South Africa's multiparty democracy.
“I see the decline, but I also see the growing number of political parties that are registered with the IEC. 806 parties are registered with the IEC, taking from the ANC; all of them campaigning about the ANC, and we talk about ourselves. I know that even small pieces, when they are together, can constitute a big cut, but the reality of the matter is that the multiplicity of parties that are registered with the IEC reflects the maturity of democracy rather than the decline of the ANC,” said Mantashe.