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| 2009 South African general election | |
|---|---|
| Election name | 2009 South African general election |
| Country | South Africa |
| Type | parliamentary |
| Previous election | 2004 South African general election |
| Previous year | 2004 |
| Next election | 2014 South African general election |
| Next year | 2014 |
| Seats for election | National Assembly and provincial legislatures |
| Election date | 22 April 2009 |
2009 South African general election was held on 22 April 2009 to elect the National Assembly and provincial legislatures in the Republic of South Africa. The contest followed the resignation of Thabo Mbeki as President and the rise of Jacob Zuma within the African National Congress leadership; it resulted in a reduced majority for the African National Congress and significant performances by the Democratic Alliance and the Congress of the People. The election occurred against a backdrop of debates about Apartheid, socioeconomic policy, and institutional reform.
The election came after intense intra-party conflict within the African National Congress culminating in the recall of Thabo Mbeki by the ANC National Executive Committee and the appointment of Kgalema Motlanthe as interim interim President. The fallout saw splinter movements including former Mosiuoa Lekota and Mahlatsi Kgalema supporters forming the Congress of the People under leaders such as Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Julius Malema's rise in the ANC Youth League generated factionalism. The election was also shaped by debates involving the South African Communist Party, Cosatu, and figures such as Nelson Mandela who remained a moral reference for many voters. Internationally, observers from the Commonwealth of Nations, the African Union, and the European Union monitored the process amid concerns about electoral integrity and voter turnout.
Seats in the National Assembly were allocated by a closed-list proportional representation system described in the Constitution of South Africa. The 400-member Assembly used a combination of national and provincial party lists administered by the Electoral Commission of South Africa. Provincial legislatures employed similar proportional representation lists for the nine provinces including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape. Voting procedures were governed by the Electoral Act and overseen by magistrates and officials from the Independent Electoral Commission. The system allowed smaller parties such as the Inkatha Freedom Party and the African Christian Democratic Party to gain representation, while major parties like the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance contested both national and provincial contests.
The African National Congress campaigned on themes of continuity and transformation, invoking its legacy from the liberation struggle and pledging policies similar to those debated at the ANC's national conferences. The Democratic Alliance emphasized issues raised by leaders such as Tony Leon's successors and called for reforms to public service and accountability referencing cases involving the National Prosecuting Authority and controversies linked to Thabo Mbeki. The newly formed Congress of the People, led by figures like Mosiuoa Lekota and Mzwanele Manyi, positioned itself as a center-left alternative to the ANC, criticizing Jacob Zuma's leadership and advocating redistribution policies. Other parties including the Inkatha Freedom Party, the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, and the United Democratic Movement pursued regional and identity-based appeals in provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Key campaign events included rallies featuring Jacob Zuma, Helen Zille, and Mosiuoa Lekota, as well as televised debates and coverage by outlets referencing the role of institutions like the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
Pre-election polls by pollsters and commentators tracked voter intention in provinces including Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. Polling organizations produced projections that suggested a narrowing of the ANC's majority and gains for the Democratic Alliance and the Congress of the People. Analysts cited factors such as urbanization in Johannesburg, service delivery protests in municipalities tied to Municipal Demarcation Board disputes, and the influence of trade union positions from Cosatu on voter behaviour. International media and institutions compared projections to previous outcomes such as the 1994 South African general election and the 2004 South African general election, forecasting both national swing patterns and provincial variations.
Voter turnout and party vote shares led to the African National Congress winning a reduced majority in the National Assembly, falling below its 2004 percentage but retaining control of the executive. The Democratic Alliance increased its share and consolidated gains, particularly in urban provinces such as the Western Cape and Gauteng. The Congress of the People secured representation in the Assembly and provincial legislatures, drawing support from former ANC voters in areas including the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Smaller parties such as the Inkatha Freedom Party, the African Christian Democratic Party, and the United Democratic Movement maintained footholds in provincial legislatures. The distribution of seats led to coalition calculations in provinces where the ANC's plurality did not translate to absolute dominance, notably affecting governance in the Western Cape.
Following the results, the ANC reappointed Jacob Zuma as its presidential candidate and the National Assembly elected him as President of South Africa in May 2009. The formation of provincial governments involved negotiations among the African National Congress, the Democratic Alliance, and regional parties such as the Inkatha Freedom Party where coalitions were required. The election's outcome influenced appointments to national institutions including the Cabinet and reshaped the balance among the South African Communist Party, Cosatu, and ANC leadership over policy direction. The entrance of the Congress of the People into the legislature altered parliamentary dynamics and contributed to debates in bodies like the National Council of Provinces about service delivery, land reform legislation, and public accountability.