Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
26 February 2024 | 15:19 SAST
1 minute read

Image: AFP

The main opposition party in South Africa, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has enjoyed considerable support in the Western Cape since 2006, and will continue to do so despite the party’s stance on the war in Gaza, says Ebrahim Harvey, a political analyst.

Dr Harvey believes that voters in the Western Cape may still lean towards supporting the party, pointing to historical voting trends dating back to 2006, where a significant proportion of voters favoured the DA.

“Notwithstanding the legitimate system of the DA regarding its stance on the Palestinian- Israeli war, I think in the final analysis…it is not so much foreign policy [although it does play a role] but what plays a far more important role is domestic politics,” Dr Harvey notes.

Dr Harvey attributes this support to factors such as perceived governance effectiveness, infrastructure development and disillusionment with the African National Congress due to corruption and mismanagement.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation in Gaza and the importance of foreign policy issues, Dr Harvey said that domestic concerns often take precedence in voters’ decision-making processes. He noted that voters consider a range of factors when casting their ballots.

On South Africa’s broader political landscape, Dr Harvey reiterates popular consensus that the ANC will not garner as much support in the upcoming May elections as they have done in the past, citing internal divisions, emerging political parties, and widespread criticism of the party’s performance.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.