ANC must secure Gauteng and KZN to survive

While it is true that all nine provinces have a role to play in swaying the results of the upcoming elections, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) are the main battlegrounds that will determine the outcome of the polls and future of the ANC.

According to political analyst Professor Bheki Mngomezulu, the two provinces are the main base for support for the ANC and the IFP.

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HISTORICALLY, GAUTENG ATTRACTED PEOPLE FROM KZN

“Historically, Gauteng has been one province that attracted many people from KZN who came to work in the mines or to stay. With the IFP drawing its support mainly but not solely from the Zulu people, Gauteng and KZN have been provinces of interest to both the IFP and the ANC,” said Mngomezulu in an opinion piece in the Independent Online.

According to the latest statistics, Gauteng has the most significant voting population at 6,497,792 or 23.53%, followed by KZN at 5,726,609 or 20.74%. The Eastern Cape comes in third position at 3,432,638 or 12.43%, Limpopo sits at 2,771,809 or 10.04%, and Mpumalanga is number five at 2019,664 or 7.31%.

GAUTENG HAS HIGHEST PERFORMING ECONOMY IN SA

Mngomezulu said another reason is the economic activities of these two top provinces. Gauteng is the highest-performing province in its contribution to the Growth Domestic Product (GDP).

“Once again, KZN comes second. Gauteng has underground minerals. KZN boasts of two busy harbours – Durban and Richards Bay,” he said.

EMERGENCE OF MK PARTY POSES A THREAT TO ANC AND OTHER PARTIES

Mngomezulu also states that the emergence of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), which former President Jacob Zuma leads, threatens many political parties, including the ANC.

eThekwini is the ANC’s most significant region in the country. This explains why all the three political parties mentioned above deemed it necessary to launch their election manifestos in this metro.