Zunami!: The 2009 South African Elections

The South African General Elections of April 2009 were the most momentous and important since the 'miracle' elections for a democratic parliament in 1994. Not only did they bring Jacob Zuma to the presidency of the country but they threw up significant challenges to the ruling party from the breakaway Congress of the People (Cope), as well as from the Democratic Alliance (DA), which won an outright majority in the Western Cape. Now, as the dust settles, this book looks at the elections with a cool, clear gaze, analyses the voting trends and results, and ponders the future prospects for South Africa.

Roger Southall on the context of the elections

Collette Schulz-Herzenberg on voting trends since 1994

Judith February on the electoral system

Anthony Butler on the ANC

Susan Booysen on Cope

Janet Cherry on Cope vs the ANC in the Eastern Cape

Zwelethu Jolobe on the DA

Suzanne Francis on the IFP

Hans Maria Heÿn and Tsoeu Petlane on the smaller parties

Shireen Hassim on gender and the elections

Jane Duncan on the role of the media

John Daniel and Roger Southall on the election outcomes