Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Zuma Coasting to South African Presidency

Landslide predicted for ANC, but could lose parliamentary majority

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 21, 2009 6:11 AM CDT

(Newser) – With less than 24 hours to go before South Africa's fourth post-apartheid general election, polls confirm that Jacob Zuma will sail to victory as the country's new president. But while his African National Congress has gained votes in every election since 1994, allegations of corruption and a revitalized opposition may cost the ANC the two-thirds majority it currently enjoys, reports CNN.

The latest polls predict that the ANC will garner 60% of the vote, while the Democratic Alliance, which has struggled to increase its support among black voters, is at 16%. The new Congress of the People, formed by a breakaway faction of the ANC, is expected to win 15%, while several minor parties bring up the rear.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

ANC supporters cheer as they listen to ANC president and presidential candidate Jacob Zuma as he speaks at an ANC rally in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, April 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

African National Congress supporters, one of them holding an election poster with a portrait of ANC president Jacob Zuma, make their way to the party's final election rally in Johannesburg. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

African National Congress President Jacob Zuma addresses supporters in Durban, South Africa, Tuesday April 7, 2009 after a high court officially dropped corruption charges against him. (AP Photo)

South Africa's Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille during a rally and unveiling of a new poster, in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, April 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

A campaign advertisement for the African National Congress, whose candidate Jacobn Zuma is almost certain to become president of South Africa. (elections2009)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

ANC Misses Two-Thirds Majority

Final results clear the way for Zuma presidency

(NEWSER) - The African National Congress easily won South Africa’s general election as predicted, but it failed to get a two-thirds majority that would have given it greater muscle, BBC reports. The ANC received 65.9% of approximately 17 million votes, putting Jacob Zuma in line to be president. A two-thirds majority would have allowed the ANC to change the constitution and enact major legislation unchallenged—and possibly protect Zuma from corruption charges. More»

Zuma Poised for Victory in South Africa

ANC wins big majority, but final result remains unclear

(NEWSER) - Jacob Zuma is on course to be the next president of South Africa, reports the Mail and Guardian, as early results from yesterday's election show his African National Congress capturing just under 65% of votes cast. While Zuma's victory was never in doubt, it remains uncertain whether the ANC will maintain its two-thirds majority in parliament, which allows it to amend the constitution. More»

Record Turnout Predicted as South Africa Votes

Zuma heads for victory, but ANC may lose support

(NEWSER) - The polls have opened in South Africa's general election, with a record 23 million citizens expected to vote today. Jacob Zuma is all but guaranteed to become the country's next president, though strengthened opposition parties and voter frustration at corruption and crime have created the toughest challenge for his African National Congress since 1994, reports the Mail & Guardian. More»

Court Reinstates Corruption Case Against Zuma

Ahead of vote, would-be S. African prez faces 16 counts of fraud

(NEWSER) - Jacob Zuma, the leader of the African National Congress and the likely next president of South Africa, once again faces corruption charges after the country's top appeals court reinstated 16 counts of fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion today. The court reversed a bombshell ruling from last September that threw out the charges and ultimately led to the resignation of his rival, former president Thabo Mbeki, reports the Mail & Guardian. More»

ANC Defectors Launch New South African Party

Congress of the People aims to be 'non-racial' in still-divided nation

(NEWSER) - A former defense minister is the first head of a new South African political party made up mainly of defectors from the African National Congress, the party of Nelson Mandela, the BBC reports. Called Congress of the People, or COPE, the movement spearheaded by Mosiuoa Lekota formed around dissatisfaction with the ANC’s ouster of President Thabo Mbeki. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Zuma Coasting to South African Presidency