South Africa's First All-Race Elections Begin Peacefully Amid Security Concerns

Strategic Insights -

Voting in South Africa's first all-race elections began today, with over 100,000 police and army troops deployed to protect voters. The elections follow a spate of bomb blasts that killed 21 people in the preceding two days. Despite the security concerns, voters, including first-time black voters, queued to cast their ballots. Political leaders, including President F.W.de Klerk and African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela, urged voters to ignore the terrorist threat and participate in the elections.

Key Takeaways:

  • Voting in South Africa's first all-race elections began peacefully, with over 100,000 police and army troops deployed to protect voters.
  • The elections follow a spate of bomb blasts that killed 21 people in the preceding two days.
  • Among the first voters were elderly, disabled, and South Africans living overseas, who cast their ballots on the first of three voting days.
  • White right-wing activists opposed to the election occupied a polling station in the northern Transvaal area, but police suspected they were trying to disrupt the voting.
  • President F.W.de Klerk promised a clampdown on those responsible for the bombings linked to the elections.
  • Nelson Mandela, the African National Congress leader, urged voters to ignore the terrorist threat and participate in the elections.
  • Polls predict that the ANC could win up to 60% of the vote, giving it a clear majority in the National Assembly and virtually guaranteeing Nelson Mandela the presidency.
  • Nelson Mandela's niece, Nomaza Paintin, became the first black person to vote in a South African general election when she cast her ballot in New Zealand.
  • In Australia, 8,874 votes had been cast by South Africans at the close of polling.

Statistics:

  • Over 100,000 police and army troops were deployed to protect voters in South Africa's first all-race elections.
  • 21 people were killed in the preceding two days in a spate of bomb blasts.
  • 60% of the vote is predicted to go to the African National Congress, according to polls.
  • 400-seat National Assembly and 90-seat Senate are to be elected in the elections.
  • 30 million-strong black majority is expected to vote in the elections.
  • 8,874 votes had been cast by South Africans in Australia at the close of polling.

Sources:

  • "Voting in South Africa's first all-race elections began peacefully, with over 100,000 police and army troops deployed to protect voters," Johannesburg Star, Tuesday.
  • "ANC leader Nelson Mandela urges voters to ignore terrorist threat," Johannesburg Star, Tuesday.
  • "White right-wing activists occupy polling station, police suspect disruption," Johannesburg Star, Tuesday.
  • "Polls predict ANC could win up to 60% of vote," Johannesburg Star, Tuesday.
  • "Nelson Mandela's niece votes in New Zealand, becomes first black person to vote in South African general election," New Zealand Herald, Tuesday.
  • "8,874 votes cast by South Africans in Australia at close of polling," Australian Electoral Commission, Tuesday.