SA Governance Dominance Essay

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

The world power I will be discussing is South Africa. This essay will determine to what extent SA’s government is dominated by either the National Assembly, Province elections and the Opposition.

Question 2

Voting for the National Assembly
Describe

Answer 2

There are several political parties that run in elections in SA, for example the ANC and the DA. The results from the voting should reflect the diverse opinions of the South African public, by using a PR system. A PR system is where the percentage of votes each party receives corresponds to the number of seats the party receives in the National Assembly.

Question 3

Voting for the National Assembly
Evidence

Answer 3

There have been six peaceful elections based on PR. For example, over 35 political parties participated in the 2019 elections with 13 parties sitting in the National Assembly.

Question 3

Voting for the National Assembly
Analysis

Answer 3

This shows that through using a PR system, it encourages new parties to form which show different interests and view in comparison to the previous parties, allowing for citizens to have a wider variety of choices for when voting in the national elections.

Question 4

Voting for the National Assembly - ANC has too much power
Evidence

Answer 4

For example, the ANC’s vote peaked in 2004 and has begun to decrease since then. Their lowest vote share was in 2019 but was still over the 50% needed. The main opposition DA has seen their votes rise in every election except 2019 (21%) but they’re still the main challengers.

Question 5

Voting for the National Assembly - ANC has too much power
Describe

Answer 5

However, it can be said that the ANC simply has too much power in the National Assembly. The ANC currently hold the most seats in the NA by a large number (230) and have never won less than half the votes in national elections. Their main opposition, the Democratic Alliance hold much less legislative power than they do and their support has recently declined, with the DA losing seats in the 2019 election.

Question 6

Voting for the National Assembly - ANC has too much power
Analysis

Answer 6

Therefore, despite people’s freedom of choice during the election process, there is no way for the citizens of South Africa to collectively use their vote to challenge their dominance.

Question 7

Voting for the National Assembly
Link back

Answer 7

Although SA is a democratic country which allows citizen to independently select who they want to be in the National Assembly, the current power and seat majority for the ANC is unchallengeable and therefore does fully dominate decision making.

Question 8

Province elections
Describe

Answer 8

The provincal assemblies and premiers are elected at the same time as the National Assembly and the President. They can make their own laws and control their own affairs, which is a democratic and fair way to distribute power within the government.

Question 9

Province elections
Evidence

Answer 9

For example, regionally, in the 2016 local elections, the ANC lost significant seats and the opposition had their best results ever. The ANC were reduced to 50% of the vote whilst the DA gained 26%.

Question 10

Province elections
Analysis

Answer 10

This shows how the ANC doesn’t have complete control over the provinces as the DA has control over the Western Cape and therefore puts a stop to the ANC’s ongrowing power and from dominating politics in SA.

Question 11

Province elections - still has majority
Describe

Answer 11

However, it can be argued that the ANC still has the majority of provinces in their control, therefore still dominates politics. In South Africa, political parties often have power over provinces to which they have gained the majority vote from those living in the provinces, therefore making that party the political representative from the votes. In South Africa, this allows for a one party state to occur.

Question 12

Province elections - still have majority
Evidence

Answer 12

For example, the ANC are in power in 8 out of 9 provinces in South Africa. This means that the ANC has power over the majority of South Africa at a local level.

Question 12

Province elections
Link back

Answer 12

To a certain extent the provincial councils are still dominated as the ANC still holds the power in 8 out of the 9 provinces showing that even though the DA is gaining power and control, this control is very limited and doesn’t hold as much effect as the ANC’s power does, therefore showing that South Africa is still a one party state.

Question 13

Province elections - still have majority
Analysis

Answer 13

This shows that as a consequence, there is little political opposition throughout South Africa at a provincial level. The overwhelming power of the ANC counteracts the constitution by not accurately distributing power. However, this is only fair and democratic as the majority of people vote for the ANC.

Question 13

The Opposition
Describe

Answer 13

There are a wide variety of political parties with a spectrum of views to reflect the huge 59 million people living in SA, allowing them to truly express their views and opinions of who should have control over decisions in South Africa.

Question 14

The opposition
Evidence

Answer 14

For example, the Economic Freedom Fighters who are supported largely by young males wanting a better future. They recently gained 6% of the vote being the third largest political party.

Question 15

The opposition
Analysis

Answer 15

This shows how the parties are reflective and representative of the citizens beliefs and therefore the people of SA can challenge this dominance, by voting for other parties which relate to their views more than the ANC.

Question 16

The opposition - weak and biassed
Describe

Answer 16

However, it can be argued that the opposition are often weak and biassed towards their own ideas. South Africa’s opposition are notoriously divided and seldom work together. They range from radical left-wing parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters to radical right-wing white supremacist parties like the AWB.

Question 17

The oppositon - weak and biassed
Evidence

Answer 17

For example, there is the issue that the two parties support the ANC and provide absolutely no opposition to them - the communists (SACP) and the Trade Unions (COSATU).

Question 17

The Opposition
Link back

Answer 17

This makes it clear that the ANC has no concern for their oppositon as they are so divided as they care too much about the other parties that they do not focus on what voters ae lookig for, resulting in the ANC winning the majority of the votes. Therefore, it can be said that SA is still a one party state with the ANC having the influence over decision-making.

Question 17

The Opposition - weak and biassed
Analysis

Answer 17

This shows that there is such a divide between the parties that there is an unlikely chance of harmony between those involved in the government to ensure that laws are being passed which are in definite need for SA, as parties are not listening to each other arguments and only care about what affects their needs and wants.

Question 18

Conclusion

Answer 18

In conclusion, it can be argued that governance is controlled by one state to an extent accurate. This is due to the influence and power that the ANC have in South Africa, which allows them to dominate the political system as they have influence over the President, who is the leader of the ANC as well as the provincial system, where they win the majority votes.