51吃瓜

In South Africa, there is a new branch of the ANC emerging that calls for radical change and advocates against corruption.

Riding on Nelson Mandela鈥檚 promise of freedom, equality and opportunity, the African National Congress (ANC) has exercised unchallenged electoral dominance over South African politics for decades. While South Africa has become an exceptional model of liberal democracy and economic development on the continent under the party鈥檚 leadership, the ANC is now facing a crisis.

The current head of the ANC and president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, has downgraded both the democratic credibility 补苍诲听聽of the country through his聽,听 补苍诲听. Many South Africans have been increasingly angered and dismayed by Zuma鈥檚 misuse of public funds and disregard for protocol.聽聽against Zuma and invigorated mobilization by the opposition suggest the potential decline of ANC hegemony. Increased inter-party competition, however, also has the potential to herald in a new era of democratic competition, which could result in a stronger and more accountable ruling party.

The opposition has begun to take shape in the form of protests and increased support for the ANC鈥檚 electoral competitors. On April 12, the discontent culminated in a mass protest of over 80,000 people 鈥� including representatives from all major opposition parties 鈥� when they marched on the government buildings in Pretoria. Many protesters were reacting to Zuma鈥檚 unceremonious firing of the finance minister and deputy finance minister at the end of March, which shook investor confidence in the South African economy.

In addition to the recent protest, the ANC is facing聽聽at the ballot box.聽听飞辞苍听聽in the August 2016 local elections, more than any opposition party in the history of the country鈥檚 democratic rule. As further evidence of ANC fracture, a large number of candidates with competing visions for the future of South Africa are vying to be the new president of the ANC this December.

Within the聽, most candidates fall into two camps: pro-Zuma and anti-Zuma. The pro-Zuma faction is status quo, while the anti-Zuma candidates are running on platforms of change and targeting corruption as a main grievance with the current administration.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, President Zuma鈥檚 ex-wife, leads the contingent in favor of the current president. The former聽聽chairperson has the president鈥檚 and the ANC Women鈥檚 League鈥檚 backing. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa 鈥� the leader of the anti-Zuma faction 鈥� came out聽聽the current president with a speech tying Zuma to corruption and state capture. Rampahosa has support from the South African Communist Party and the Congress of South African Trade Unions, but he will need to collect all sides of the anti-Zuma struggle to beat Dlamini-Zuma with her state backing in the December election.

TEST FOR DEMOCRACY

The significance of this internal battle in the ANC extends far beyond the borders of the country. South Africa has long been considered a bastion of democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa. However,听聽contend that, during Zuma鈥檚 rule, South Africa has lost its exceptional edge due to the rampant clientelism, corruption and poor governance by the ANC.

The enlivened inter-party competition on display during this election, therefore, could be a healthy sign. More competition means more聽聽of the current state of politics in South Africa and invigorated mobilization of people demanding new, accountable leadership.

Early in his campaign, Ramaphosa is refocusing toward a people-centric ANC and away from the clientelistic practices of the Zuma era. In a speech in April, Ramaphosa called for the ANC to ask, 鈥淲hy have the people turned against us?鈥� Further, he lamented that the influence of a small group of private individuals in the government has 鈥渦ndermine[d] our economic progress and diminish[ed] our ability to change the lives of the poor.鈥�

There is a new branch of the ANC emerging that calls for radical change and advocates against corruption. This factionalism has the potential to strengthen the ANC in the long run by increasing dialogue, calling out government corruption and fostering debate about the future trajectory of the party. Out of chaos, there is hope that South Africa will emerge as a stronger democratic partner.

*[Young Professionals in Foreign Policy is a partner institution of聽.]

The views expressed in this article are the author鈥檚 own and do not necessarily reflect 51吃瓜鈥檚 editorial policy.

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