Complete list of all political parties in South Africa in 2024
With South Africa's upcoming elections on May 29, 2024, all eyes are on the political parties. Millions hope that the 2024 elections will change the country's current issues, so knowing your options is essential for those looking for a change in leadership. What are the options for South Africans looking to put their faith in a new political party? This article provides South Africans with a list of all political parties in South Africa as of 2024.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- List of political parties in South Africa and their leaders
- 15. African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP)
- 14. Al-Jama-ah (ALJAMA AH)
- 13. African Independent Congress (AIC)
- 12. African National Congress (ANC)
- 11. African Transformation Movement (ATM)
- 10. Congress of the People (COPE)
- 9. Democratic Alliance (DA)
- 8. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
- 7. Freedom Front Plus (FF+)
- 6. Good Party (GOOD)
- 5. Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)
- 4. National Freedom Party (NFP)
- 3. Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC)
- 2. United Democratic Movement (UDM)
- 1. uMkhonto weSizwe (MK Party)
- Which party is currently in power in South Africa?
- Which political party in South Africa fought against Apartheid?
- Who is the main opposition party in South Africa?
- Which party is far left in South Africa?
The country has had a lengthy history of racial divide and discrimination that came to a head when the pro-Afrikaner National Party (NP) rose to power in 1948, marking the implementation of the oppressive Apartheid regime. Thankfully, South Africa became a democratic country in 1994 when it held its first democratic elections on April 27, 1994.
The African National Congress (ANC) was elected into power and abolished Apartheid, showcasing how essential various democratic political parties are for a racially equal state. You must register with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to be a recognised political party. Only IEC-registered political parties may appear on the ballot in the elections. How many parties are there?
List of political parties in South Africa and their leaders
As of May 22, 2024, there are 15 political parties that South Africans can support. These are the political parties in South Africa and their leaders, as well as other details regarding the political party's inner workings.
We strive to provide our readers valuable insights and information through our various rankings and lists. Understanding our methodology and the principles governing our ranking processes is essential. Our rankings are based on objective and quantifiable criteria. These criteria may include data from reputable sources, including the South African government's official website, official statistics, expert opinions, user feedback, and other relevant metrics. We endeavour to use the most up-to-date and accurate data available during ranking compilation.
| Political party | Leader |
| African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) | Kenneth Meshoe |
| Al-Jama-ah (ALJAMA AH) | Ganief Hendricks |
| African Independent Congress (AIC) | Mandla Galo |
| African National Congress (ANC) | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| African Transformation Movement (ATM) | Vuyolwethu Zungula |
| Congress of the People (COPE) | Patrick Lekota |
| Democratic Alliance (DA) | John Steenhuisen |
| Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) | Julius Malema |
| Freedom Front Plus (FF+) | Pieter Groenewald |
| Good Party (GOOD) | Patricia de Lille |
| Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) | Velenkosini Hlabisa |
| National Freedom Party (NFP) | Ivan Barnes |
| Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) | Mzwanele Nyhontso |
| United Democratic Movement (UDM) | Bantu Holomisa |
| uMkhonto weSizwe (MK Party) | Jacob Zuma (subject to change) |
15. African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP)
Source: Getty Images
- Date of establishment: December 9, 1993
- Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter)
- Website
- Contact: 021 403 3977/021 403 3536
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) was established on December 9, 1993. Its manifesto primarily focuses on improving government-owned agencies and includes standard Christian norms and religious freedom. The party also seeks to re-establish ties with Israel yet supports peace in the Middle East.
14. Al-Jama-ah (ALJAMA AH)
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- Date of establishment: 2007
- Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter)
- Website
- Contact: 021 403 3029
Established in 2007, Al-Jama-ah is an Islamic party founded by Ganief Hendricks, still the political party's leader today. Al-Jama-ah's goals include striving for social justice for all, securing property for each family, and supporting the freedom of expression, association, and movement of every individual.
13. African Independent Congress (AIC)
Source: UGC
- Date of establishment: December 12, 2005
- Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter)
- Contact: 021 403 3038
The African Independent Congress (AIC) is a regional minority party founded by the people of Matatiele and surrounding rural communities. Established on December 12, 2005, some of the party's goals include addressing unemployment and job creation, land reform, and corruption and maladministration.
12. African National Congress (ANC)
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- Date of establishment: January 8, 1912
- Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter)
- Website
- Contact: 021 403 2288
South Africa's current ruling party is the African National Congress (ANC). Established on January 8, 1912, the ANC was integral to abolishing Apartheid and has been in power since 1994. The ANC states that it mainly focuses on improving the lives of South Africans and maintaining its democratic state.
11. African Transformation Movement (ATM)
Source: UGC
- Date of establishment: 2018
- Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X (Twitter)
- Website
- Contact: 021 403 2918
Established in 2018, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) is a faith-based national political party. The company focuses on empowering and educating employees on a law-abiding culture. It also aims to provide South Africa's police force with adequate skills and training to drastically reduce the country's crime rate.
10. Congress of the People (COPE)
Source: UGC
- Date of establishment: December 16, 2008
- Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter)
- Website
- Contact: 021 403 2898
Congress of the People (COPE) was established on December 16, 2008, hoping to empower South Africa's citizens. Founded by former ANC members Mosiuoa Lekota, Mbhazima Shilowa, and Mluleki George to contest the 2009 general election, COPE promotes itself as a progressive and diverse political party. COPE aims to tackle the country's most significant issues, including high crime rates, unemployment, and poverty.
9. Democratic Alliance (DA)
Source: Getty Images
- Date of establishment: June 24, 2000
- Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and TikTok
- Website
- Contact: 021 403 2910
The Democratic Alliance, established on June 24, 2000, was created to provide South Africans an alternative to the ruling party. The DA aims to create a fair society for all South Africans, with freedom, opportunity, embracing diversity, and an effective government. It is currently the country's strongest opposition party.
8. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
Source: Getty Images
- Date of establishment: July 26, 2013
- Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter)
- Website
- Contact: 021 403 3726/021 403 3524
After former ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema was expelled from the ANC, he ventured on his own and founded the Economic Freedom Fighters on July 26, 2013. Considered a far-left party, the EFF focuses on eradicating load-shedding, increasing job opportunities, and reinstating land to former black owners.
7. Freedom Front Plus (FF+)
Source: Getty Images
- Date of establishment: March 1, 1994
- Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter)
- Website
- Contact: 021 403 8653
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The Freedom Front Plus, founded by General Constand Laubscher Viljoen on March 1, 1994, is a right-wing political party. The party's manifesto includes a free-market system facilitating restoration and rebuilding, framing independent communities as building blocks, restoring local government, and irradicating legislation that discriminates based on skin colour.
6. Good Party (GOOD)
Source: Getty Images
- Date of establishment: December 2018
- Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (Twitter)
- Website
- Contact: 021 403 3117
Former DA member Patricia de Lille founded the Good Party (GOOD) in December 2018. Patricia stepped down as the mayor of Cape Town and resigned from the DA in 2018 before she began her party, emphasising more transparency in politics, creating solidarity with South Africans, sustainability within the environment, and equality for all.
5. Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)
Source: Getty Images
- Date of establishment: March 21, 1975
- Contact: 021 403 2915
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) was founded on March 21, 1975, by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a former member of the ANC Youth League. Originally called the Inkatha National Cultural Liberation Movement (INCLM), the party changed their name to the Inkatha Freedom Party in 1994. It aims to end load-shedding, give land back to black families, provide job opportunities, and roll out free education.
4. National Freedom Party (NFP)
Source: UGC
- Date of establishment: January 25, 2011
- Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter)
- Contact: 021 403 3055
Founded on January 25, 2011, by Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, former chairperson of the Inkatha Freedom Party, and other former IFP members, the National Freedom Party (NFP) has created a loyal following. Their manifesto supports accelerated land reform, enhanced law enforcement, expansion of healthcare services, and training of health professionals.
3. Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC)
Source: UGC
- Date of establishment: April 6, 1959
- Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter)
- Website
- Contact: 021 403 3346/021 403 3235
The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) was founded on April 6, 1959, and aims to create a more equal, safe South Africa for all. The party's manifesto includes ensuring lad is reinstated to black families, free education, and rural land development.
2. United Democratic Movement (UDM)
Source: Getty Images
- Date of establishment: September 27, 1997
- Facebook and X (Twitter)
- Website
- Contact: 021 403 8759
On September 27, 1997, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) was launched at the World Trade Centre in Kempton Park, Gauteng, with the aim of playing an integral part in the country's new democracy. The political party advocates for a dispensation where civilians can become wealth creators in their own right.
1. uMkhonto weSizwe (MK Party)
Source: Getty Images
- Date of establishment: December 2023
- X (Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok
- Website
- Contact: (email) info@mkparty.co.za
uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK Party) is one of the new political parties in South Africa that has taken over by storm. Founded in December 2023 by Jabulani Khumalo under the instruction of Jacob Zuma, the party aims to provide ANC supporters who are unhappy with the party and wish to vote for a party with similar goals. At the time of writing, the Constitutional Court ruled that Jacob could not be included in the elections, leaving the MK Party's future unknown.
Which party is currently in power in South Africa?
When writing on May 22, 2024, the ruling party was the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC has been in power since the first democratic elections were held in the country in 1994. Still, their power has waned in recent years following various controversies, including state capture, also referred to as 'Guptagate'.
Which political party in South Africa fought against Apartheid?
The African National Congress was formed in 1912 and worked on creating equality for all South Africans. When The National Party government came into power in 1948, the ANC fought harder than ever for this cause against the oppressive Apartheid regime and won that battle in 1994 when Nelson Mandela was elected as president.
Who is the main opposition party in South Africa?
All political parties in South Africa play an integral role in the political landscape, with various smaller parties playing an essential role in opposition parties having more political power through coalitions. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is considered the biggest opposition party against the ANC.
Which party is far left in South Africa?
Far-left views describe ideologies including communism, Trotskyism, and anarcho-communism. In 2019, Wits University wrote an article discussing that, at the time, the Zuma wing of the ANC and the EFF 'pushed black electoral politics towards left-wing populism.'
The complete list of all political parties in South Africa in 2024 shows various political parties for South Africans to support based on which party's manifesto aligns with their views. Each party plays an integral part in changing the country's political scope, and voting for a party capable of change helps shape South Africa's future.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility.
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Briefly.co.za discussed the net worth of the President of South Africa. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa was born on 17 November 1952 in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, to Venda parents.
As of 2024, Cyril's net worth placed him among the richest South African individuals. With over a decade of political experience and a significant role in the anti-apartheid movement, he has accumulated a massive fortune. Discover the 5th President of SA, Cyril Ramaphosa's net worth.
Source: Briefly News
