The party that carried Nelson Mandela's legacy into a free South Africa has just had its worst performance ever in a national election. The African National Congress fell to its lowest result in the country's municipal elections, a moment that signals real trouble for the ruling party's grip on South African politics.
Voters made their frustration clear at the ballot box. Persistent water shortages and rolling electricity blackouts have worn people down, and they placed the blame squarely on the ANC. When the lights go out night after night and taps run dry, patience runs out fast.
The question now is whether the ANC is willing to hear what South Africans are telling them, or whether the party will treat this result as a stumble rather than a warning. Either way, the people have spoken.
Originally published by AllAfrica.