S. Africa's main opposition party eyes coalition to oust ANC in 2019

South Africa’s opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) say they will win the 2019 national elections if they get the support of other parties.

The DA is seeking to topple the African National Congress (ANC) in power since 1994.

Analysts however say it is a tall order despite a number of scandals that has riddled the Zuma administration.

In what shocked many, the DA has control of three of the largest cities from the ANC in local elections.

“The ANC is united around corruption. Zuma is not an isolation of the ANC – he’s a collective thereof. Therefore, the people of this country must be aware that the project ultimately is about the removal of the ANC. And in 2019, there must be a coalition, DA-led coalition of governments as we’ve seen in the cities that will ultimately be able to say that the democratic advances have taken place. Maimane, Leader of Democratic Alliance said.

“The starting point is Zuma but it can’t be the finishing point. It must always be restoring South Africa to a constitutional democracy. So that any president, regardless of where they come from will always know that they are accountable to the constitution,” he added.

One of its biggest challenges the DA faces is the perception that it is a party for white minorities, a claim the ANC uses as a campaign tool.

The ANC won 62 percent of the vote in the 2014 national election, a step down from 66 percent in 2009. The DA increased its share to 22 percent, from 17 percent.

President Jacob Zuma has come under intense pressure with the latest being a vote of no confidence from groups that seek to remove him from office.

The constitutional court is currently deciding on a secret ballot vote against Zuma proposed by opposition parties.