Seat-winning parties, big and small, celebrate election results

On Saturday, 10 May, the African National Congress (ANC) along with thousands of ANC supporters paraded the streets of Johannesburg in celebration of the party’s success.

The New Age recently reported President Zuma’s appreciation of volunteers in assisting the election process and led thousands of supporters in song and dance. In praise of their efforts in contributing to the party’s victory, Minister of Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba said the party’s success will not be taken for granted and will ‘make the next five years the best in SA history’, the Independent Online reports.

“We are very grateful to people of SA who came out in their large numbers to give ANC the resounding victory we got. This is something we are humbled and proud of,” he said.

With the festive sprit still lingering in the air, other political parties such as the DA, the EFF and the NFP also celebrated their election successes.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) youth league celebrated their success in the Western Cape over braai, music and dance at local restaurant Mzoli’s in Gugulethu. Masizole Mnqasela, member of the DA’s federal council and provincial parliament is grateful that more than four million South Africans have given a mandate in “shaping South Africa’s future”.

A sea of blue hats and t-shirts cheered with delight as they ate their well-seasoned braai over chitchat and a good laugh. The party chose the family-run restaurant in response to their increased majority and to provide a sense of trust to supporters of the community.

Mnqasela says the DA has won 59% of the vote in the Western Cape, which is a huge achievement. “As members, I want to say to them they won’t regret it. We are geared to deliver to all citizens of the Western Cape and elsewhere when we are given a mandate to become a strong opposition in the country.”

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), one of the newest political parties to hit the political arena, won 25 seats, the third largest number of seats in Parliament. Nazier Paulsen, Convener of the EFF in the Western Cape, is proud of the party’s success despite their struggle for financial resources.

Literally painting the town red in their red berets, the EFF celebrated their success and gave thanks to the many volunteers who contributed to their fight for democracy.

“It was very low key, we got together a whole lot of us and our commander in chief, Julius Malema, insisted we should spoil our volunteers who have given unselfishly and selflessly their time and effort for EFF during the past couple of weeks. We celebrated here on Saturday night. The coming week they are going to do it in Gauteng. I think it is a really, really good gesture.”

Paulsen says the EFF is excited to be part of government alongside the leading party and believes that although it will be a “tough test”, it is one worth fighting for.

“Our fighters are excited about being represented in government. Whatever decisions government makes, people are going to want to know the EFF’s stance on it. So if a decision is to the benefit of the poor working class, then it would definitely have great influence from EFF. And if it is not, it means we are going to have to fight even harder to have the poor and working class even considered.”

SABC News reports National Freedom Party (NFP) leader Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi was pleased with the election results despite her expectations of a higher voter turnout.

"I was expecting more, especially in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. I was thinking that we would take the second position, but it couldn’t happen because of the financial resources. It is very difficult to compete with old political parties who are getting funding from the state and the IEC, when we do not have funding," she said. "But, I think relatively speaking we have done very well, considering those facts."

According to NFP representative, Dr. Ebrahim, it was the party’s first time contesting in this year’s national elections. Ebrahim agrees with party leader Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi and believes the NFP needs to work harder for their political agenda, especially in their quest for voter education.

“What we really need to work on is voter education, to educate the masses with quality education, because without quality education, we won’t be going anywhere.”

Although there was no large fiesta in celebration of NFP’s victory, party leader Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi will be visiting the areas to acknowledge and thank the people who brought them to Parliament at this year’s elections.