With 15 million eligible voters unregistered, the EFF faces a pivotal challenge in shaping South Africa's electoral landscape, writes EFF's Godrich Gardee (pictured)
South Africa has approximately 41 million people of voting age, yet only about 26 million are registered to vote, according to the IEC. There are 15 million people missing from the voters’ roll. That missing 15 million is where the future of South African electoral politics lies.
The first democratic voters’ roll was built over many years through the political work of historical formations that persuaded millions to register and participate in elections. The ANC, DA and IFP invested decades in building loyal electoral bases rooted in history, identity, culture and lived experience. Those historical realities continue to shape electoral outcomes today.
The ANC remains the primary beneficiary of liberation history and emotional loyalty from millions of Africans who directly experienced apartheid oppression. To many of these voters, the ANC is not merely a political party, but the movement that confronted racial domination and restored their dignity. Even where there is frustration with corruption, unemployment, collapsing municipalities and declining services, millions still maintain a historical attachment to the liberation movement.
