By: Noxolo Mkhwanazi

South Africa is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world, with 13 political parties represented in the National Assembly of Parliament.

The African National Congress (ANC) is a national liberation movement and it is the majority party with 264 National Assembly seats with its current president now, Jacob Zuma
followed by the DA and then the EFF.

It was formed in 1912 by Saul Msane, John Dube, and other prominent individuals to bring all Africans together as one.

Through uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), the ANC waged the armed struggle and obtained support from some African countries and the Soviet block for its activities. It has had many presidents
before including the first black president, Nelson Mandela.

The Democratic Party now known as the Democratic Alliance (DA), is South Africa’s second leading party and the official opposition to the governing ANC.

It was formed in 1989. The present leader is Mmusi Maimane, who succeeded former Mayor of Cape Town and Premier of the Western Cape Helen Zille, on 10 May 2015.

Maimane promised to walk in Zille’s footsteps after he was appointed president of DA, but he said that he is first going to focus on what is going to make the party.

“I am willing to work on the party’s image, the raising of funds, shaking up the parliament, to clarify the party’s policy, and to inspire the youth then the rest shall follow,” said Maimane.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is a South African revolutionary socialist political party formed by the former African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president, who was expelled from the ANC, Julius Malema. It is currently the third largest party in both houses of the South African parliament.

Sandile Ndlovu, one of the EFF members from the EThekwini EFF offices, said that he was an ANC supporter only because Julius Malema was there.  Ndlovu said that he felt like ANC
was experiencing a downfall when EFF was formed.

“When the EFF started its politics in parliament, the ANC got so angry and attempted to show the country that the EFF does not in fact understand the rules of parliament.

While they were at pains to show us that, their attempt failed as EFF turned out to be the ones understanding the rules more and exposing them to the public,” Ndlovu said.

With local government elections around the corner, it remains to be seen which party will come up top.