Political analyst Professor Setsulego Matebesi believes the African Congress for Transformation (ACT) has the potential to change the political landscape of the Free State in the next general election.
Mr Matebesi said ACT chairman Ace Magashule had an advantage in securing a seat in the state parliament because of his broad and deep knowledge of the state.
Election season has officially begun, with over 340 political parties registered with the Election Commission (IEC).
Matebesi believes it will be difficult for emerging parties in the Free State to secure seats in the state parliament.
Potential voters have doubts about the emergence of a new party
Various political parties have already begun campaigning across the Free State, with some even releasing their manifestos ahead of the next general election.
Potential voters are seeing new political parties emerge sporadically.
Mr Matebesi said many voters would have a hard time choosing on voting day because there were so many options.
“It's going to be a very difficult situation for free residents to decide who to vote for…because there's a big issue of turnout. Perhaps this is why, in order to persuade undecided voters, Maybe that's what these new parties are trying to do…but when it comes to the Free State, the African National Congress has always been very dominant, and even new parties have tried in the past. We have tried to disrupt the ANC's supremacy in the past, without success…But this time we are talking about a completely different story.”
Some potential voters are skeptical of these new parties.
Someone says: “Are they trying to take revenge or are they trying to come up with a change? Because they all come from this party, which is the main party that controls all of South Africa.”
Another added: “To be honest, I don't know much about them because they're all offshoots of different political parties, you know what I mean.” It's clear that they're bringing the same things to these new political parties that they're creating. So it’s like another new branch,” another added.
“ACT stands out in the Free State.”
Mr Matebesi believes the ACT Party stands out among other opposition parties in the state.
“We have seen in the media that the opposition is led by someone familiar with the African National Congress and he is gaining support in the Free State and elsewhere. Also, very importantly, Ntate Ace Magashule's political party ACT has openly declared that it will form a coalition with the KwaZulu-Natal-based MK party. This is very important as it risks disrupting the African National Congress in the province. One thing may turn out to be true. But whether they will be able to oust the ANC is another matter entirely.”
Video | ACT cooperates with MK Party:
Potential voters are optimistic about change
Other potential voters are optimistic that these new parties will bring about change.
“I think that's a good thing, because I think there's a lot of different people with different voices and we need to hear all of them.”
Another says: “These new parties say they're going to bring about change, but every time it's voting time new parties come up and they die at some point…so I'm not like that.”I know that. But at the same time, there are some new political parties whose members give me hope. They are people you can trust. ”
Railroad crossing
Matebesi said it is expected that some party leaders may cross the floor once the ANC releases its provincial list.
“Also, what you are seeing happening within the African National Congress, there is another important element that I strongly believe is that the Free State is a state for candidates to sit in state legislatures. It means that the moment we release the list, some senior ANC leaders may come forward to work with opposition parties like ACT. For now, the risks are too great… no one is going to openly align with a political party that we don't know what the future holds, but once the list of these provinces is published, it will be the same in KwaZulu-Natal where MK is. will happen. That could mean adding older people to the reigns of Ntate Ace Magashule and Jacob Zuma in KwaZulu-Natal. ”
The terms of the 6th National Assembly and nine regional assemblies end in May as the nation awaits the announcement of election dates.
This year, the country celebrates its 30th anniversary of democracy, and for the first time independent candidates will be vying for seats in the national and local parliaments.