If the ANC can’t rally voters in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, its majority is gone

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Fri 05 May   [ron_derby] The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng faces its toughest question ahead of the 2024 election. The dysfunction in both provinces — with KwaZulu-Natal the most populous in the country — threaten the party’s majority. Get their houses in order and their chances of retaining power grow. But just how likely is that? In the main political piece for this week, Lizeka Tandwa and Paddy Harper look at the politics in the two provinces and look at what options the ailing political party has. The choices aren’t easy — there’s no winning argument. The ANC’s best performance at the polls came in 2009, when, under then president Jacob Zuma, it managed a two-thirds majority. Key to that win was the supposed collapse of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) as a force in KwaZulu-Natal. It was a monumental victory, especially for a president who hails from the province. It seemed the moment when violence and volatility, which has been the hallmark of KwaZulu-Natal politics, centred on this battle between monarchists and a new black intelligentsia based in its urban centres was on its way out. Today, the IFP looks to be in much better health — fundamentally because of the ANC’s failings. In Gauteng, is it Panyaza Lesufi or Lebogang Maile in the driving seat? Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@Ronderby]( [ANC KZN 2]( Premium [KZN, Gauteng ructions have dire implications for ANC in next year’s national election]( The party’s working committee is gearing up to intervene in both provinces but this could further damage the ANC’s chances at the polls This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( Articles labelled as Premium are only available to subscribers. [CLICK HERE]( to subscribe Already a subscriber? [SIGN IN HERE]( [Graphic-TL-Calland-CyrilGovt-Website-1000px]( [Ramaphosa is stumbling, but he won’t walk away]( South Africa is in the dire position of possessing a weak leader and no potential replacements This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( [System failure: Ajay and Atul Gupta. Muntu Vilakazi/Gallo/City Press]( Premium [National Prosecuting Authority will appeal Nulane ruling]( The NPA raised concerns about the judgment and called for the Investigating Directorate to be made a permanent entity without delay This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( Recommended Reads [Grand plan to clean Nairobi’s rivers – again]( The Kenyan capital’s three rivers are filthy, with black water bringing odious smells and sickness [// Read more]( [Gareth Ackerman takes up big business’s plight]( Pick n Pay’s chairperson has called out government’s inaction on resolving the country’s structural economic decline [// Read more]( Premium [Diver and surfer bitten by sharks in Eastern Cape, just days apart]( Experts have stressed that shark attacks are incredibly rare This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( [BLSA on Eskom investigation: ‘We don’t go out of our way to meddle”]( BLSA on Eskom investigation: ‘We don’t go out of our way to meddle” [// Read more]( Premium [Ramaphosa says Zuma’s private prosecution is political harassment]( The president is seeking a final interdict preventing his predecessor from pursuing such a step “now or in future” This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( Pic of the day [Cameroon Basketball] Hero: In the Damas neighbourhood of Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé, former teammates, coaches and neighbours are full of praise for the ‘discreet’ and ‘generous’ Joel Embiid, whose painting adorns the wall. He is the local idol who has just been voted the most valuable player of the United States’ NBA basketball season. Photo: Daniel Beloumou Olomo/AFP/Getty Images [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa