South Africa: Parties participating in the 2009 elections
Updated January 2011
Summary
There are 117 parties registered at the national/provincial level. However, only 42 parties submitted candidates' lists. 28 parties will contest seats for the National Assembly.
- Eleven parties will contest the elections for the National Assembly and all nine Provincial Legislatures
- Fourteen parties will contest the elections for the National Assembly and one or more of the Provincial Legislatures
- Three parties will contest the elections for the National Assembly only
- Fourteen parties will contest the elections in one or more of the Provincial Legislatures only
Parties that submitted lists for the national and all nine provincial elections
| Party | Leaders | Founding | Performance in 2004 |
|---|---|---|---|
| African National Congress (ANC) Former: South African Native National Congress |
Jacob Zuma Thabo Mbeki Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (retired 1999), Oliver R Thambo (d 1993), Chief Albert Lutuli (d 1967), Dr JS Moroka, Dr Xuma, JT Gumede, John L Dube (d 1946) |
8 January 1912 | 69.7% of national vote |
| Democratic Alliance (DA) Formerly: Democratic Party, Progressive Federal Party, Progressive Reform Party, Progressive Party. |
Helen Zille Anthony (Tony) James Leon Zach de Beer, Dr Fredrick van Zyl Slabbert, Colin Eglin, Jan Steytler |
13 November 1959 | 12.4% of national vote |
| Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Formerly: Inkatha National Cultural Liberation Movement |
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi | 21 March 1975 | 7.0% of national vote |
| United Democratic Movement (UDM) | General Bantu Holomisa | September 1997 | 2.3% of national vote |
| Independent Democrats (ID) | Patricia De Lille | March 2003 | 1.7% of national vote |
| African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) | Kenneth Rasalabe Joseph Meshoe | December 1993 | 1.6% of national vote |
| Vryheidsfront Plus AKA Freedom Front Plus, Alliance 2000+ Previously: Freedom Front, Afrikaner Volksfront |
Dr Pieter Willem Mulder General Constand L Viljoen |
October 1993 | 0.9% of national vote |
| United Christian Democratic Party (UCDP) | Chief Lucas Manyane Mangope | 1986 | 0.8% of national vote |
| Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) | Letlapa Mphahlele Motsoko Pheko Dr Mmutlanyane S Mogoba, Zephania Lekoane Mothopeng (d 1990), David Maphgumzana Sibeko (d 1979), Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe (d 1977) |
6 April 1959 | 0.7% of national vote |
| African People's Convention | Themba Godi | Sep 2007 | Formed by floor crossing 2007 |
| Congress of the People (COPE) | Mosiuoa Lekota | 16 December 2008 | Break away from ANC |
Parties that submitted lists for national and some provincial elections
| Party | Leaders | Founding | Performance in 2004 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minority Front (MF) | Amichand Rajbansi | June 1993 | 0.35% of national vote |
| Azanian People's Organization (AZAPO) Forerunner: Black People's Convention |
Mosiblidi Mangena | 28 April 1978 | 0.25% of national vote |
| United Independent Front (UIF) | Mzwandile Manjiya Ike Kekana (acting) Malizole Diko (founder, d 28 July 2006) |
Sep 2005 | Formed by floor crossing 2005 |
| National Democratic Convention (NADECO) | Hawu Mbatha Ziba Jiyane |
Sep 2005 | Formed by floor crossing 2005 |
| Alliance of Free Democrats | Prof Themba Sono Brian Power |
2005 | New party |
| National Alliance | Stanley Simmons | Sep 2007 | Formed by floor crossing 2007 |
| New Vision Party | Ike Kekana | Sep 2007 | Formed by floor crossing 2007 |
| Al Jama-ah | Mogamad Ganief Ebrahim Hendricks | Apr 2007 | New party |
| SA Democratic Congress (SADECO) | Ziba Jiyane | Dec 2007 | Break away from IFP |
| Women Forward | Nana Ngobese-Nxumalo | March 2008 | New party |
| Pan Africanist Movement | Thami ka Plaatjie | 7 Nov 2008 | Break away from PAC |
| Christian Democratic Alliance | Rotates betwen members | 2008 | Grouping of Federation of Democrats, Christian Democratic Party, Alliance for Community Transformationand New Labour Party |
| Movement Democratic Party | Pastor Ntsudzuluseni Ramukanda (secr gen) | 2009 | New party |
| Great Kongress of SA | VB Chuturgoon | New party |
Parties that only submitted lists for national elections
| Party | Leaders | Founding | Performance in 2004 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep It Straight and Simple Party (KISS) | Claire C Emary | February 1994 | 0.04% of national vote |
| A Party Coalition | Anthony Penderis | Dec 2008 | Coalition that includes Afrika Borwa Kgutlisa Botho, Ahanang People's Organisation, A Party, Azanian Native Socialist Congress, Conservative Party, Dabalorivhuwa Patriotic Front, Freedom Power, Khoisan United Front, United Citizen Forum of South Africa and Workers International Vanguard |
| Hlanganani Sakhe Isizwe | Gilbert Dlamini | New party |
Parties that only submitted lists for some provincial elections
| Party | Leaders | Founding | Performance in 2004 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dikwankwetla Party of South Africa (DPSA) | Moeketsi PI Lebesa Kenneth Mopeli |
1975 | 0.97% of Free state vote |
| African Muslim Party (AMP) | Dr Wasfie Hassiem Dr Imtiaz Sooliman |
1994 | 0.7% of Western Cape vote |
| Sindawonye Progressive Party (SPP) | Majozi George Mahlangu | September 1989 | 0.53% of Mpumalanga vote |
| Peace and Justice Congress (PJC) | Muhammed Rashad Khan | 2003 | 0.09% of Western Cape vote |
| Universal Party (UP) | Martin Matheus Fienies | October 2002 | 0.05% of Western Cape vote |
| Ximoko Party (XP) Formerly: Ximoko Progressive Party |
AM Mabunda | 1994 | Did not contest 2004 |
| African Christian Alliance AKA Afrikaner Christen Alliansie |
Petrus Johannes van der Westhuizen | Nov 2005 | New party |
| Christen Party/Christian Party (CP) | Louis Johannes Botha Marneweck | Sep 2005 | New party |
| African Independent Congress | Mandla Galo | Dec 2005 | New party |
| Black Consciousness Party (BCP) | Dr Nchaupe Aubrey Mokoape | 13 September 2008 | New party |
| National Party of SA | Juan-Duval Uys | 2008 | New party |
| Cape Party | Jack Miller | 21 Apr 2008 | New party |
| SA Political Party | MS Mokitimi | New party | |
| SA Determined Volunteers | New party |
Sources
EISA sources
- National Assembly floor-crossing outcome 2007
- Parties at national level: 2004 election
- Parties at provincial level: 2004 election
- Parties formed after 2004
- Other parties registered at national level
INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION 2009 "Provisional list of 42 parties to contest 2009 elections", 3 March, [www] http://www.elections.org.za/news_get.asp?NewsID=403 [opens new window] (accessed 9 Mar 2010).