New dynamics add to South Africa election uncertainty

Significance However, readings of potential support for the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) differ. A plethora of small parties and independent candidates, alongside the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, backed by former President Jacob Zuma (2009-18), add to the electoral uncertainty. Impacts Without regulation, the instability of metropolitan coalition politics may be repeated at the national level. The electricity minister says the return of 6,000 megawatts of coal-fired capacity will ease the immediate energy supply crisis by end-2024. A recent consultancy report warns Eskom may lose 13,000 megawatts of capacity if three at-risk coal-fired plants are not urgently upgraded. The failure to sell South African Airways will fuel fears it may again become a fiscal drain and embroiled in ANC patronage politics.