Alan Winde. (Chelsea Ogilvie/News24)
With more than 3,3 million registered voters in the Western Cape, the province saw an approximately 60% voter turnout as locals elected leadership for the province for the next five years.
Retaining power in the Western Cape, the Democratic Alliance received 1 088 423 votes (55,30%) giving it the outright majority to govern in the province.
In second was the African National Congress (ANC) at 384 853 votes (19,55%) followed by the Patriotic Alliance (PA) with 153 607 votes (7,8%).
This election has seen a significant rise in the PA’s popularity in the province compared to its 0,04% support in the 2014 provincial elections. According to the Independent Electoral Commission data, they did not contest the province in 2019.
PA party president Gayton Mackenzie acknowledged voters for their contribution in getting them elected to all spheres of government. In a video statement released to his social media, he expressed this gratitude with elation at the result of the party holding several seats in provincial and national legislatures.
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The party has met with much criticism, though, with Mackenzie writing: “How do you even begin to find fault in reaching all three spheres of government, being in the top six, being one of the kingmakers in Gauteng, Northern Cape and national government. Patriots, you have done incredibly well, you have done your part, you have delivered, it’s time for leadership of PA to do our part and deliver to you.”
In another statement, Mackenzie alluded to coalition talks, which will see the party possibly take up a more influential role in other legislatures or even national parliament as the sixth biggest party in the recent national election.
The Western Cape election results.
At the release of the results, Premier-elect Alan Winde – who remains Premier until the election of new leadership later this month – said the Western Cape government (WCG) remained committed to upholding and protecting the dignity of all citizens.
“While we have been working flat out over the past several years to deliver on our government’s key priorities of growing the province’s economy to keep creating jobs and to make the region safer and more resilient, we owe it to all of our residents to work even harder. It is an immense honour to be trusted with leading this government once more towards even greater heights.
“We take nothing for granted, and will never allow complacency to creep into our government. It is a profound privilege that we have been given the honour to keep serving the people of our province. We will do this with humility and care, placing the needs of our citizens at the centre of our work.”
Winde said every vote will help guide the WCG towards improving critical functions and service delivery.
“This is our duty, and we will not waiver in fulfilling what we have promised our citizens. I am very proud of our government and the people of this extraordinary province. Together, we will be able to do so much to ensure the Western Cape remains a province of hope and worth.”
He continued those jobs, speeding up economic growth and making the province safer are key priorities as the long road ahead awaits.
The new leadership of the province will be elected at the first sitting of the 7th administration, set to take place on Wednesday 12 June, with the new cabinet of ministers set to be announced and sworn in on Thursday 13 June.
READ: Western Cape prepares for new leadership as sixth provincial parliament dissolves
Western Cape voter apathy
- Registered voters: 3 317 072
- Voter turn-out:1 983 137 (59,79%)
- Spoilt ballots:14 874 (0,75%)
- Valid ballots: 1 968 263
Samantha Lee-Jacobs
www.news24.com
