Opposition EFF seeks to weaken South Africa's ANC

Significance

The EFF's campaign to oust Ramaphosa follows allegations that he failed to report the theft of millions of dollars from his farm in 2020. The EFF was similarly involved in a campaign against former President Jacob Zuma in 2017-18, which led to him being forced out of power.

Impacts

• The ANC will seek to stem its electoral decline by resorting to increasingly populist campaign messaging.
• The EFF will increasingly play to anti-immigrant sentiment to secure votes.
• Political violence will grow in advance of the 2024 elections, particularly within the ANC as its factional conflicts intensify.