Election Results 2024 South Africa

As the new parliament convenes in South Africa following the May 2024 elections, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the election results and the influence of the Christian vote. This reflection is particularly pertinent for evangelical Christians who are concerned about the principles that should guide their voting decisions and the potential impact of their collective votes.

Election Results and Christian Voting Patterns

The recent elections highlighted a pragmatic approach among Christian voters, many of whom followed historical voting patterns rather than prioritizing parties with Christian principles. Parties explicitly aligned with Christian values received a minimal share of the votes.

Key Election Outcomes:

• Dominant Parties: Four major parties secured 86.1% of the total votes.
• Smaller Parties: The next six parties together garnered 9.56% of the vote.
• Minor Parties: The following 20 parties received 2.64%.
• Other Parties: The remaining parties accounted for 1.7% of the votes.

Christian-Aligned Parties:

• ACDP, FF+, ATM, and #hope4sa: These parties, known for their strong Christian value base, received 2.53% of the vote.
• UDM and IFP: When considering these parties for their partial alignment with Christian values, the total rises to just under 6.9%.

Analysis of Major Parties

• ANC and DA: These two parties received 40% and 22% of the vote, respectively.
• EFF and MK: Combined, these parties, which are offshoots of the ANC, accounted for an additional 14%.
• Cumulative Votes: The ANC and its affiliates managed to secure 54% of the total vote, while the ANC, DA, and IFP collectively obtained almost 66%.

Despite a significant presence of Christians within the ANC and DA, these parties are primarily based on humanistic rather than Biblical principles.

Voter Motivations

Voters appeared to have two main motivations:

1. Loyalty to ANC: Many voters remained loyal to the ANC due to its historical role in achieving independence, while those dissatisfied with the ANC shifted their support to the EFF or MK.
2. Performance of DA: Some voters favoured the DA for its effective governance in the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town.

Principles for Christian Voters

For Christians, the following principles should guide their voting decisions:

1. Divine Guidance: Seek the Father’s will and the Holy Spirit’s leading in voting decisions.
2. Support for the Vulnerable: Evaluate parties based on their policies towards the most vulnerable in society, including economic opportunities and social welfare.
3. Ethical Leadership: Consider the morals, ethics, and leadership qualities of the parties and their candidates.

Role of Christians in Elections

Post-election, Christians should reflect on three key questions:

1. Participation: Did you vote?
2. Decision-Making Principles: What principles guided your choice?
3. Guidance and Influence: How can we guide others in understanding their role in voting and political engagement?

The Impact of Non-Voters

A significant number of eligible voters (10 million) did not participate in the election, representing 31% of registered voters. Mobilizing these voters to support Christian-aligned parties could potentially elevate their share to 35%, creating a substantial impact on future elections.

Mobilizing Christian voters and promoting parties that embrace Christian values requires dedicated effort and perseverance. While it is challenging and often unrecognized work, it is essential to ensure that the principles and policies of elected parties serve the country as a whole. As Christians, we should thoughtfully consider our voting decisions and actively participate in the political process to influence positive change.