Though the ANC maintained one of its strongholds on Wednesday, voter turnout was low, with only 2,429 registered voters casting their ballots in Wednesday’s Ward 23 by-election.
A decline in voter turnout is also highlighted in the ANC’s 2024 annual report, released by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula in July.
The report states that voter turnout in Nelson Mandela Bay dropped from 65.93% in 2019 to 57.58% in the 2024 national election.
“The electoral outcomes in the Eastern Cape and SA reflect diminishing public confidence in the ANC and the political system, with low voter registration and turnout highlighting dissatisfaction,” reads the report.
“Traditional supporters of the national democratic revolution are disengaging, either through abstention, supporting populist or right-wing formations, or anti-state actions.
“Rising discontent is worsened by economic stagnation, escalating violence, and internal factional vulnerabilities, which weaken the ANC’s ability to mobilise and lead effectively.”
For the Ward 23 by-election, the ANC received 1,539 votes, which is 63.6% of the total, according to the Electoral Commission of SA.
The party received 77% in the 2021 local government elections.
The EFF secured the second-highest number of votes with 607 (25.08%), doubling its percentage from the 2021 local government elections.
It was followed by the MK party, which received 236 (9.75%) votes, and Azapo garnered 38 (1.57%).
A total of 2,429 votes were cast. Nine ballots were spoiled.
Politics commentator Ntsikelelo Breakfast said a connection existed between service delivery and voter turnout.
“If you want to increase voter turnout, you must improve service delivery.
“There’s been a shift on the African continent, the majority among eligible voters have no historical liberation attachments.
“The ruling party has been getting votes in the rural areas, with the majority of its voters being the elderly due to many reasons, such as the liberation heritage.”
Breakfast said elevating struggle heroes was not good enough for the youth.
“The Gen-Zs are concerned about what is in it for them.”
ANC candidate Nomthandazo Dyantyi is set to join the council after being sworn in.
She will replace Nosithembiso Myekiso, who died in May.
Dyantyi said she was set to lead one of the oldest communities established in Motherwell, which meant it still had old infrastructure.
“I have attained an area with existing service delivery issues, which include pothole-riddled roads, water and sewage leaks, among other things.
“The community said it wants tarred roads in areas where there’s still gravel and refurbishment of the already tarred ones, including traffic circles.”
Dyantyi said winning the ward meant she was now the spokesperson of the community.
“I plan to take all these issues to the council so they can be resolved.
“Being a woman in this position is an honour. Residents elected someone who is nurturing and a protector of all in the community.
“It makes it even better that I have been elected during Women’s Month.
“Women don’t just sit back, they go out there and find solutions to problems to make the lives of others better,” Dyantyi said.
The Herald
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