In 2024, a significant political shift has taken place in Southern Africa, signaling the end of an era in which liberation movements that once fought for independence have dominated the political landscape. These movements, which held sway in countries across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for decades, have seen their grip on power weaken in several nations. A number of key elections have resulted in surprising changes in government, highlighting a trend toward the decline of liberation movements and the rise of opposition parties.
Zambia Sets the Tone in 2021
Zambia’s 2021 elections set the tone for the political changes that have unfolded in the region. When Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) defeated the incumbent Patriotic Front (PF) under President Edgar Lungu, it marked the first peaceful transition of power in Zambia’s history. This shift was emblematic of the changing political dynamics in Southern Africa, with citizens increasingly opting for new leadership, rather than sticking to the political parties tied to the struggles for independence.
Hichilema’s victory was seen as a beacon of hope for the region, encouraging other Southern African nations to reassess the political structures that had long been dominated by liberation movements. Zambia’s change in government highlighted the region’s growing appetite for reform and its desire for leadership that could address the modern challenges facing African societies.
South Africa: The ANC Faces a Drastic Loss
In 2024, South Africa, the largest economy in the region, experienced a political upheaval of its own. The African National Congress (ANC), which has governed the country since Nelson Mandela led the fight against apartheid and the subsequent transition to democracy in 1994, suffered a crushing defeat in the national elections. For the first time in decades, the ANC saw its share of the vote drastically reduced, falling to the 40.2% mark.
In a stunning turn of events, the ANC was forced into a power-sharing government with the main opposition, the Democratic Alliance (DA). This was a significant blow to the ANC, a party that had once been the dominant force in the country’s political life, and symbolized the triumph of the liberation movement over apartheid. The ANC’s poor performance reflected the deepening frustration among South African voters with the party’s governance, marked by corruption scandals, internal divisions, and rising economic inequality.
The ANC’s loss signals the weakening of liberation movements in the region, with South African voters now looking to opposition parties like the DA to offer a fresh direction for the country. The power-sharing arrangement is a dramatic shift from the one-party dominance that has defined South African politics since the end of apartheid. This shift may be a harbinger of a broader change, as the electorate moves away from the legacy of liberation movements toward parties that promise to address the country’s modern-day challenges.
Botswana: BDP Loses to Duma Boko’s UDC
In Botswana, another key shift occurred in 2024 when the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has held power since the country’s independence in 1966, lost the national elections to the opposition United Democratic Congress (UDC), led by Duma Boko. The BDP, a party that has long been associated with Botswana’s post-independence governance, found itself sidelined by a growing wave of public discontent over issues such as economic stagnation, corruption, and governance failures.
The victory of the UDC marks a decisive moment for Botswana, a country traditionally known for its political stability and democratic institutions. The BDP’s loss shows that even in nations with long histories of political calm, the dominance of liberation movements is being challenged. The UDC’s win represents the growing desire for change, as younger voters and disillusioned citizens look for new leadership outside the traditional post-liberation parties.
Mauritius: Opposition Sweeps Parliament
In Mauritius, the political landscape also experienced a dramatic shift in 2024. The opposition won a sweeping victory in the national elections, securing 62.6% of the vote and taking control of the parliament. The ruling Labour Party, which had dominated the country’s political scene for years, was unable to retain power as citizens expressed dissatisfaction with economic policies, governance, and corruption issues.
The results in Mauritius were a stunning repudiation of the established political order, which had been heavily influenced by liberation movements. The opposition’s decisive victory marked a shift towards greater political pluralism and a growing rejection of the political status quo. The rise of opposition parties in Mauritius is another clear signal that the once-dominant political forces tied to liberation struggles are no longer as resilient as they once were.
Namibia: A Critical Election Looms
As Southern Africa witnesses these changes in government, all eyes are now turning to Namibia. The country, which has been governed by the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) since its independence in 1990, faces a critical election on November 27, 2024. SWAPO, which led Namibia’s liberation struggle against apartheid, has seen its dominance gradually erode in recent years, with growing dissatisfaction over issues such as corruption, unemployment, and economic inequality.
The 2024 elections in Namibia are seen as a key moment in the region’s political evolution. Should the opposition make significant gains or even take control, Namibia could follow in the footsteps of Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, and Mauritius in signaling the fall of African liberation movements as dominant political forces. The results of Namibia’s elections could further shape the trajectory of Southern Africa’s political future, with the possibility of a historic transition away from liberation-era parties.
The political changes across Southern Africa in 2024 represent a seismic shift in the region’s political landscape. From Zambia’s peaceful transition in 2021 to the dramatic losses by the ANC in South Africa, the BDP in Botswana, and the Labour Party in Mauritius, the region is witnessing the fall of long-standing liberation movements that once dominated national politics.
As these movements lose their hold, opposition parties are increasingly stepping into the political void, promising new leadership and reform. Zambia’s 2021 election served as a catalyst for these changes, and Namibia’s upcoming election may further cement the idea that the era of liberation movements is coming to a close in Southern Africa. The political landscape of the region is evolving, with citizens seeking a new generation of leadership that can address the challenges of the present, rather than clinging to the legacy of liberation struggles.
The 2024 elections in South Africa, Botswana, Mauritius, and Namibia are clear signs that Southern Africa is entering a new political era—one where democracy, rather than liberation, is becoming the central force shaping the region’s future. Is Zimbabwe and Namibia next ? only time will tell!
