Here are the results for Wards 25 and 23 in Durban, the heartland of Abahlali baseMjondolo. Previously in Ward 25 the suburban vote was closely split between the ANC and the DA and the shack dwellers put the ANC in power. The ANC has retained ward 25 via a massive swing away from the DA and towards the ANC by surburban voters. The ANC had orientated its campaign towards the middle class vote promising to step up the forced removal of shack dwellers from the area.

What we have here is a swing away from racial politics (Indian and coloured middle class voters have dumped the swart gevaar DA line for the ANC) towards class politics (the ANC have overtly orientated their campaign towards the class prejudices of the middle class voters).

Results for WARDS 25 and 23

Ward 25 (Clare Estate)

2006 ANC 49% (2 706 votes) poll 34% 2000 ANC 44% (2292 votes) poll 37%
DA 21% (1 194 votes) DA 40% (2043 votes)

Ward 23 (Reservoir Hills)

2006 ANC 48% (1992 votes) poll 31% 2000 ANC 46% (2024 votes) poll:34%
DA 15% (639 votes) DA 23% (1007 votes)

Analysis

1. The shack dwellers’ boycott was successfully carried about. (This is based on reports from journalists on the scene plus an analysis of voting stations).
2. There was a big swing away from the DA from middle class voters allowing the ANC to win the ward on middle class support.
3. Shack dwellers have no political party standing for their interests. Previously (1994 to the most recent previous elections) the ANC always campaigned strongly for the shack dwellers’ vote. Now all parties are for the evcition of shacl dwellers and their relocation to the rural periphery of the eThekwini Metro.