South Africa's party system is best characterized as a multiparty system. Since the end of apartheid in 1994, the country has seen the emergence of various political parties that compete for power at national, provincial, and local levels. While the African National Congress (ANC) has historically been the dominant party since the transition to democracy, there are a significant number of other parties that play substantial roles in the political landscape, such as the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and others.
The presence of multiple parties, the ability for voters to choose among them in elections, and the competition for public support indicate a multiparty system rather than a purely dominant party system. Importantly, South Africa’s political environment allows for coalition-building and the possibility of new parties gaining prominence. Thus, while the ANC has been dominant, the overall structure of the political system is best described as multiparty.
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