ANC Risks Retreat to Rural Areas as South Africa Towns Rebel
- ANC now controls just three of eight main urban centers
- Urban voters disgruntled with President Zuma, joblessness
A woman marks her ballot paper in a voting booth during municipal elections at a polling station in Soweto's Freedom Park, South Africa, on Aug. 3.
Photographer: John Wessels/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
With swathes of urban voters in South Africa deserting the African National Congress because of anger over a lack of jobs, shoddy services and scandals surrounding President Jacob Zuma, the ruling party is counting more than ever on support in the rural areas to maintain its grip on power.