Independent candidates will bring fresh dimension to 2024 election — analyst

Independent candidates will add a different dimension when South Africans go to the polls on May 29, policy analyst Dr Nkosikhulule Xhawulengweni Nyembezi says.

It will be the first time independent candidates will contest elections at a national and provincial level in SA.

Nyembezi said by contesting alongside political parties, independent candidates would open up various communication possibilities “not usually available to even the most diligent picketers or loyal party followers”.

“We expect independent candidates to raise diverse issues in their election manifestos and campaigns, to elevate the relevance and potency of a diversity of views in the eyes of voters, issues that resonate with local communities, including community-specific issues that political parties often overlook.

“This engagement will be possible because they will speak as potential office-holders and not merely as the average lay citizens,” he said.

“They will discuss their views on national media, interacting with audiences of various groups that would have never heard of them or their views up to that time.

“We expect those who win seats to help produce legislative bodies that respect the nation’s opinions and challenge abuse of power through robust discussion and constitutional checks and balances.”

Battle lines have been drawn after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the election date this week.

Political parties in the province are already gearing up for the big showdown.

ANC provincial spokesperson Loyiso Magqashela said the party expected the 2024 elections to be “partially” different compared with previous years because of the participation of the independents.

“Partially they would be different because now you have people contesting as independent candidates for the first time since our political breakthrough of 27 April 1994,” he said.

“There are many splinter political parties led by cult leaders who will also contest the space.”

Magqashela was confident that the ANC’S election drive was on the right track.

He said the ANC had crisscrossed the length and breadth of the province since the start of the voter registration campaign.

“We are continuing speaking to all communities about the significant strides we have made together and our commitments for the future,” Magqashela said.

“This election, like the ones before it, is about people. It is about the ANC renewing our mandate to continue creating a better life for our people.”

The DA in the province also said it was ready for the upcoming elections.

Provincial party leader Andrew Whitfield said the party had been preparing and campaigning for almost a year and its organisers had spoken to many thousands of voters who were excited to vote for the DA.

“This election is the last time the ANC will have a majority in South Africa,” Whitfield said.

“This is significant and presents an opportunity to rescue SA from its current trajectory.

“The ANC has become arrogant and entitled over the past 30 years and voters will send them a strong message on May 29.

“Voters must take their future into their own hands by voting the ANC out and voting for a party with a track record of delivery like the DA.

“This election is about voting for a better future, not a better past.”

The EFF is also raring to go. The red berets said in a statement: “These elections mark an opportunity for all South Africans to put an end to the misery we have suffered as a nation, under the incompetent, corrupt and misguided governance of the ruling party, the ANC, for 30 years.

“May 29 officially marks an opportunity for our nation to achieve true freedom, which at the centre of it sits economic freedom.”