Isn’t it amusing how things change and the rate at which they change? Not so long ago, Juilius Malema said, “The ANC will rule until Jesus returns.” I’m almost certain that he no longer shares those sentiments, especially after being expelled from that very party.
Today I want us to look at the front-runners of the up coming elections. Some are big while others are much smaller, but all have made their way on to our papers and TV screens.
Below are the 18 parties fighting for our votes and of course the top job of Head of State. Looking at this list how many do you know here and how many do you actually care about?
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania
Azanians People’s Organisation
African Peoples Convention
Workers and Socialists Party
However, to be 100% honest, we are all waiting with baited breath to see how it will play out between only a few of these parties and their leaders, and those are the following. In no particular order of importance.
EFF – Led by Julius Malema
Patriotic Alliance – Kenny Kunene
Of the 18 parties, only 8 have the budget to campaign hard enough to be noticed.
Let’s start with the big guns of SA politics, The ANC. This party is the oldest party on the IEC ballot. Founded in January of 1912, it seems like they could enjoy a sure win in these elections too. The Party’s president is President Jacob Zuma and they are currently in power.
Next on our list is the DA. It was founded in June of 2000 and is the biggest contender for the elections. At its helm is Helen Zille who has been a major player not only in politics but in the media too. Her party questions everything the ANC does and personally I think, that’s the only thing they do – point out every wrong move the ANC makes.
Next in we have the young militant, Julius Malema with his party the EFF. From President of the ANC Youth league, to expulsion, to tax evasion and now heading up his own party with his eyes set on leading the country, his aim is to fighting for the Economic Freedom of the poor.
The Agang S.A leader who jumped ship to be the Presidential candidate for the DA, Dr. Ramphele comes in next. The DA announced this on the 28th of January 2014.
The UDM should just give up. Bantu Holomisa has been hard at work keeping his party alive, but I don’t think he wants to be president. Party was started in 1997 and has stayed in the background since then. Most people don’t even know about them.
COPE led by Lekota, and IFP by Buthelezi are parties, in my opinion, that fall under the same category as UDM. Gone and forgotten really, although they could be great if they changed some fundamentals of their respective parties.
Lastly, I would like to introduce the Patriotic Alliance. This is the latest addition to our political playing field. Led by the infamous “sushi King,” Kenny Kunene, it is an interesting story that I can’t wait to get in to. Kenny goes from prison, to selling sweets on the streets, to millionaire mining mogul, to sushi king, and now political party leader.
I’m not sure what’s going to happen exactly but I do know that our elections are going to be exciting.
