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Zuma Poised for Victory in South Africa

ANC wins big majority, but final result remains unclear

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 23, 2009 6:52 AM CDT
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(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.

With one in five ballots counted, the opposition Democratic Alliance had 17.9%, while the Congress of the People, which broke from the ANC, had 7.75%. But in provincial elections, the Democratic Alliance has wrested control of Western Cape, the country's most ethnically diverse province, in what one analyst called "a blow for the ANC." Zuma is expected to address supporters later today.

African National Congress president Jacob Zuma, right, casts his ballot at the Ntolwane primary school in the village of Kwanxamabala, South Africa, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.
African National Congress president Jacob Zuma, right, casts his ballot at the Ntolwane primary school in the village of Kwanxamabala, South Africa, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille visits the Independent Election Commission results center in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, April 23, 2009.
Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille visits the Independent Election Commission results center in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, April 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
ANC president Jacob Zuma's youngest wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli, 34, raises her fist in victory after her husband cast his ballot for general elections in Kwanxamalala, Wednesday April 22, 2009.
ANC president Jacob Zuma's youngest wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli, 34, raises her fist in victory after her husband cast his ballot for general elections in Kwanxamalala, Wednesday April 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Bishop Desmond Tutu makes his way to cast his vote in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.
Bishop Desmond Tutu makes his way to cast his vote in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)
Voters lined up before sunrise Wednesday in an election that has generated an excitement not seen since South Africa's first multiracial vote in 1994.
Voters lined up before sunrise Wednesday in an election that has generated an excitement not seen since South Africa's first multiracial vote in 1994.   (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)
South Africans queue to cast their votes at Thokoza township in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday April 22, 2009.
South Africans queue to cast their votes at Thokoza township in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday April 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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South Africa • Jacob Zuma • African National Congress • South African elections • Congress of the People

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