Lucas Ledwaba
The Vryheidsfront Plus is emerging as a surprise package in the 2019 general and provincial elections according to indications from preliminary results trickling in through the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
By 1.30pm on Thursday, the party – which draws its support from the white Afrikaner right -was doing amazingly well with a national total average of 2.97 %; translating to at least 177,734 votes.
Its support in the 2014 general election had decline from the 424,555 (nine seats) it scored in the 1994 election to 165,715 – which translates to four seats in the National Assembly.
However, with the IEC having counted less than half of the vote it appears the party may gain further seats in Parliament this year.
The growth of the Vryheidsfront, after its support declined considerably during the last 25 years, raises key questions.
Could it be that the party which draws considerable support
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I find the existence of this party disturbing and the support of it, dangerous. It is the most worrying development in SA politics this election. I can only suggest that it is the result of a pendulum swing reaction to stabilise the national dialogue after extreme left wing activity from BFLF and some voices in the EFF in recent months? Couple this with the general panic that the Zondo Commission illicits as it unveils the depth of government corruption, and it’s the perfect political storm. We have an unstable and frightening daily reality that is promoting radical ideologies. I agree that many white South Africans realised that Maimane is not the man for the job after President Ramaphosa was elected. Do 180 000 white South Africans really see the FF as an alternative? God forbid.