A tracking poll by the Social Research Foundation (SRF) indicates that South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) has seen a rise in support in the weeks leading up to the upcoming election. The poll, which was updated on weekdays, put support for the ANC at 44.8%, up from 37.7% a month earlier. Analysts have been speculating that the ANC may fall short of 50% of the vote for the first time since coming to power 30 years ago under Nelson Mandela at the end of apartheid. However, if the ANC secures close to half the vote or more, the May 29 election will be less of a watershed as the ANC will still be firmly in control of the nation's politics.
Opinion polls released in April and March found backing for the ANC was several percentage points lower, at 40.2% and 39% respectively. If the ANC is forced to turn to larger opposition parties like the Democratic Alliance or Economic Freedom Fighters, they are likely to have to cede more ground in negotiations to form a coalition government.
Political analysts attribute the ANC's support increase in the weeks leading up to previous votes to its far-reaching grassroots campaign, which has seen thousands of volunteers go door-to-door and its leaders tour the country touting the party's record.
