Political Parties In South Africa
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This is a list of political parties in South Africa.
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
is a democratic but
one-party dominant state A dominant-party system, or one-party dominant system, is a political occurrence in which a single political party continuously dominates election results over running opposition groups or parties. Any ruling party staying in power for more th ...
with the
African National Congress The African National Congress (ANC) is a Social democracy, social-democratic political party in Republic of South Africa, South Africa. A liberation movement known for its opposition to apartheid, it has governed the country since 1994, when ...
as the governing party. Other parties such as the Democratic Alliance govern
provinces A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman ''provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions outsi ...
and
municipalities A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality'' may also mean the go ...
, with some in coalitions with smaller parties.


Parliamentary parties

} , class="org" , DA , , 2000 ,
Economic liberalism Economic liberalism is a political and economic ideology that supports a market economy based on individualism and private property in the means of production. Adam Smith is considered one of the primary initial writers on economic liberalism ...

Social liberalism Social liberalism (german: Sozialliberalismus, es, socioliberalismo, nl, Sociaalliberalisme), also known as new liberalism in the United Kingdom, modern liberalism, or simply liberalism in the contemporary United States, left-liberalism ...
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Economic Freedom Fighters The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is a South African left-wing to far-left pan-Africanist and Marxist–Leninist political party. It was founded by expelled former African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) President Julius Malema, and hi ...
, class="org" , EFF ,
Julius Malema Julius Sello Malema (born 3 March 1981) is a South African politician and activist who is a Member of Parliament and the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a left-wing party which he founded in 2013. He was formerly the President of ...
, 2013 ,
Marxism–Leninism Marxism–Leninism is a communist ideology which was the main communist movement throughout the 20th century. Developed by the Bolsheviks, it was the state ideology of the Soviet Union, its satellite states in the Eastern Bloc, and various co ...

Black Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white have o ...
ultranationalism Ultranationalism or extreme nationalism is an extreme form of nationalism in which a country asserts or maintains detrimental hegemony, supremacy, or other forms of control over other nations (usually through violent coercion) to pursue its sp ...
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Inkatha Freedom Party The Inkatha Freedom Party ( zu, IQembu leNkatha yeNkululeko, IFP) is a right-wing political party in South Africa. The party has been led by Velenkosini Hlabisa since the party's 2019 National General Conference. Mangosuthu Buthelezi founded t ...

zu, IQembu leNkatha yeNkululeko , IFP ,
Velenkosini Hlabisa Velenkosini Fiki Hlabisa (born 4 January 1965) is a South African politician and former teacher who has been President of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the Leader of the Opposition in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature since 2019. He served as t ...
, 1975 ,
Conservatism Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilizati ...

Economic liberalism Economic liberalism is a political and economic ideology that supports a market economy based on individualism and private property in the means of production. Adam Smith is considered one of the primary initial writers on economic liberalism ...
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Freedom Front Plus The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus; af, Vryheidsfront Plus, ''VF Plus'') is a right-wing political party in South Africa that was formed (as the Freedom Front) in 1994. It is led by Pieter Groenewald. Its current stated policy positions include ab ...

af, Vryheidsfront Plus , class="org" , VF+ ,
Pieter Groenewald Petrus Johannes "Pieter" Groenewald (born 27 August 1955) is a South African politician. He has been serving as the Leader of the Freedom Front Plus since his election in November 2016. He started his political career by being elected Mayor of S ...
, 1994 ,
Afrikaner nationalism Afrikaner nationalism ( af, Afrikanernasionalisme) is a nationalistic political ideology which created by Afrikaners residing in Southern Africa during the Victorian era. The ideology was developed in response to the significant events in Afrik ...

Right-wing populism Right-wing populism, also called national populism and right-wing nationalism, is a political ideology that combines right-wing politics and populist rhetoric and themes. Its rhetoric employs anti-elitist sentiments, opposition to the Establi ...
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African Christian Democratic Party African or Africans may refer to: * Anything from or pertaining to the continent of Africa: ** People who are native to Africa, descendants of natives of Africa, or individuals who trace their ancestry to indigenous inhabitants of Africa *** Ethn ...

af, Afrika Christen Demokratiese Party , class="org" , ACDP ,
Kenneth Meshoe Kenneth Rasalabe Joseph Meshoe (born 18 January 1954) is a South African evangelist, politician, reverend and teacher. He has been serving as the inaugural leader of the African Christian Democratic Party, a Christian democratic political party, ...
, 1993 ,
Christian democracy Christian democracy (sometimes named Centrist democracy) is a political ideology that emerged in 19th-century Europe under the influence of Catholic social teaching and neo-Calvinism. It was conceived as a combination of modern democratic ...

Social conservatism Social conservatism is a political philosophy and variety of conservatism which places emphasis on traditional power structures over social pluralism. Social conservatives organize in favor of duty, traditional values and social institutio ...
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United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is a centre-left, social-democratic, South African political party, formed by a prominent former National Party leader, Roelf Meyer (who has since resigned from the UDM), a former African National Congress ...
, class="org" , UDM ,
Bantu Holomisa Bantubonke Harrington Holomisa (born 25 July 1955) is a South African Member of Parliament and President of the United Democratic Movement. Holomisa was born in Mqanduli, Cape Province. He joined the Transkei Defence Force in 1976 and had beco ...
, 1997 ,
Social democracy Social democracy is a Political philosophy, political, Social philosophy, social, and economic philosophy within socialism that supports Democracy, political and economic democracy. As a policy regime, it is described by academics as advocati ...
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African Transformation Movement The African Transformation Movement, popularly known as ATM, is a political party in South Africa. It is led by Vuyolwethu Zungula, leader and party president. It was formed with the backing of the South African Council of Messianic Churches in ...
, ATM ,
Vuyolwethu Zungula Vuyolwethu Zungula is a South African politician who is the president of the African Transformation Movement (ATM). He and Thandiswa Marawu have been representing the ATM in the National Assembly of South Africa since 22 May 2019. Zungula was ...
, 2018 ,
Christian democracy Christian democracy (sometimes named Centrist democracy) is a political ideology that emerged in 19th-century Europe under the influence of Catholic social teaching and neo-Calvinism. It was conceived as a combination of modern democratic ...

Conservatism Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilizati ...
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Good In most contexts, the concept of good denotes the conduct that should be preferred when posed with a choice between possible actions. Good is generally considered to be the opposite of evil and is of interest in the study of ethics, morality, ph ...
, class="org" , GOOD ,
Patricia de Lille Patricia de Lille (née Lindt; born 17 February 1951) is a South African politician who is the current Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and leader of the political party Good. She was previously Mayor of Cape Town from 2011 to 2018, ...
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National Freedom Party The National Freedom Party (NFP) is a South African political party. It was launched on 25 January 2011 by Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, former chairperson of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), along with other former IFP members. Election results ...
, NFP , , 2011 ,
Egalitarianism Egalitarianism (), or equalitarianism, is a school of thought within political philosophy that builds from the concept of social equality, prioritizing it for all people. Egalitarian doctrines are generally characterized by the idea that all hu ...

Social democracy Social democracy is a Political philosophy, political, Social philosophy, social, and economic philosophy within socialism that supports Democracy, political and economic democracy. As a policy regime, it is described by academics as advocati ...
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African Independent Congress The African Independent Congress (AIC) is a minor political party in South Africa. Founded in Matatiele on December 12, 2005, the AIC was a protest against the location of the area within the boundaries of the Eastern Cape province rather tha ...
, class="org" , AIC ,
Mandla Galo Mandlenkosi Phillip Galo (born 5 July 1962) is a South African politician who serves as the inaugural president of the African Independent Congress (AIC), a party he and other disgruntled ANC members founded over a demarcation dispute in 2005. H ...
, 2005 ,
Social conservatism Social conservatism is a political philosophy and variety of conservatism which places emphasis on traditional power structures over social pluralism. Social conservatives organize in favor of duty, traditional values and social institutio ...
, , , , , - , bgcolor=, , Congress of the People , COPE ,
Mosiuoa Lekota Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota (born 13 August 1948) is a South African politician, who currently serves as the President and Leader of the Congress of the People since 16 December 2008. Previously as a member of the African National Congress, ...
, 2008 ,
Social democracy Social democracy is a Political philosophy, political, Social philosophy, social, and economic philosophy within socialism that supports Democracy, political and economic democracy. As a policy regime, it is described by academics as advocati ...

Social liberalism Social liberalism (german: Sozialliberalismus, es, socioliberalismo, nl, Sociaalliberalisme), also known as new liberalism in the United Kingdom, modern liberalism, or simply liberalism in the contemporary United States, left-liberalism ...
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Pan Africanist Congress of Azania The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (known as the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC)) is a South African national liberation Pan-Africanist movement that is now a political party. It was founded by an Africanist group, led by Robert Sobukwe, that ...
, class="org" , PAC , Mzwanele Nyhontso , 1959 ,
African socialism African socialism or Afrosocialism is a belief in sharing economic resources in a traditional African way, as distinct from classical socialism. Many African politicians of the 1950s and 1960s professed their support for African socialism, althou ...

Black nationalism Black nationalism is a type of racial nationalism or pan-nationalism which espouses the belief that black people are a race, and which seeks to develop and maintain a black racial and national identity. Black nationalist activism revolves ar ...
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Al Jama-ah Al Jama-ah (, ) is a South African political party. It was formed in 2007 by present leader Ganief Hendricks and contested the 2009, 2014 and 2019 national elections. The party aims to support Muslim interests and uphold Shari'a law. The flag o ...

ar, الجماعة , class="org" , ALJAMA ,
Ganief Hendricks Mogamad Ganief Ebrahim Hendricks (born 14 September 1949) is a South African politician, businessman, lecturer and teacher who is a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa. He became an MP on 22 May 2019. He is the founder and current le ...
, 2007 ,
Islamic democracy There exist a number of perspectives on the relationship of Islam and democracy among Islamic political theorists, the general Muslim public, and Western authors. In 2021, a number of Muslim majority countries are Islamic and secular democra ...
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Other active parties

} , PBI , Isaac Sipho Mfundisi , 2016 ,
Anti-corruption Anti-corruption (or anticorruption) comprises activities that oppose or inhibit corruption. Just as corruption takes many forms, anti-corruption efforts vary in scope and in strategy. A general distinction between preventive and reactive measu ...
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Bolsheviks Party of South Africa The Bolsheviks Party of South Africa is a South African political party based in Limpopo. It is campaigning for a more egalitarian society, and for the Moutse area to be transferred from Limpopo to Mpumalanga province. The party competed in th ...
, BPSA , Fanie Mogotji , 2016 ,
Marxism–Leninism Marxism–Leninism is a communist ideology which was the main communist movement throughout the 20th century. Developed by the Bolsheviks, it was the state ideology of the Soviet Union, its satellite states in the Eastern Bloc, and various co ...
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United Independent Movement The United Independent Movement (UIM) is a South African political party founded by Neil de Beer, former national security advisor to Nelson Mandela and a former uMkhonto we Sizwe operative. Formation The party initially formed as a civil soc ...
, UIM , Neil de Beer , 2020 ,
Centrism Centrism is a political outlook or position involving acceptance or support of a balance of social equality and a degree of social hierarchy while opposing political changes that would result in a significant shift of society strongly to the l ...
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African Democratic Change African Democratic Change (ADeC) is a South African list of political parties in South Africa, political party. It was launched on 1 December 2017 by former African National Congress Member of Parliament, Makhosi Khoza. Khoza resigned from the p ...
, ADeC , Visvin Reddy , 2017 ,
Anti-corruption Anti-corruption (or anticorruption) comprises activities that oppose or inhibit corruption. Just as corruption takes many forms, anti-corruption efforts vary in scope and in strategy. A general distinction between preventive and reactive measu ...
, , - , bgcolor=, , Better Residents Association , BRA , Delta Mokoena
(imprisoned) , 2011 , Localism , , - , bgcolor=, ,
Azanian People's Organisation The Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO) is a South African liberation movement and political party. The organisation's two student wings are the Azanian Students' Movement (AZASM) for high school learners and the other being for university leve ...
, AZAPO , Strike Thokoane , 1978 ,
Black Consciousness The Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) was a grassroots anti-Apartheid Activism, activist movement that emerged in South Africa in the mid-1960s out of the power vacuum, political vacuum created by the jailing and banning of the African Nationa ...

Socialism Socialism is a left-wing economic philosophy and movement encompassing a range of economic systems characterized by the dominance of social ownership of the means of production as opposed to private ownership. As a term, it describes the e ...
, , - , bgcolor=, , Democratic Liberal Congress , DLC , Patrick Pillay , 2016 ,
Liberalism Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality and equality before the law."political rationalism, hostility to autocracy, cultural distaste for c ...

Environmentalism Environmentalism or environmental rights is a broad philosophy, ideology, and social movement regarding concerns for environmental protection and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seek ...
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International Revelation Congress International Revelation Congress (IRC) is a Limpopo-based South African political party formed in 2013. The party merged with Agang to contest the South African general election, 2014, 2014 general election. After the problems in that party, i ...
, IRC , Patrick Pillay , 2013 ,
Social conservatism Social conservatism is a political philosophy and variety of conservatism which places emphasis on traditional power structures over social pluralism. Social conservatives organize in favor of duty, traditional values and social institutio ...

Social welfare Welfare, or commonly social welfare, is a type of government support intended to ensure that members of a society can meet basic human needs such as food and shelter. Social security may either be synonymous with welfare, or refer specifical ...
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Power of Africans Unity Power of Africans Unity (PAU) is a South African political party founded in November 2016 by former COPE and UDM member Julius Nsingwane. The party launched in Kroonstad, and joined demonstrations calling for the removal of then-president Jaco ...
, PAU , Julius Nsingwane , 2016 , , , - , bgcolor=, , South African Maintenance and
Estate Beneficiaries Association
, SAMEBA , Makgorometse Gift Makhaba , 2014 , , , - , bgcolor=, ,
Afrikan Alliance of Social Democrats The Afrikan Alliance of Social Democrats (AASD) is a South African political party led by Pappie Mokoena, former African National Congress (ANC) mayor of Mangaung. The party describes itself as "a modern Pan Afrikan Social democratic party tha ...
, AASD , Pappie Mokoena , 2019 ,
Social democracy Social democracy is a Political philosophy, political, Social philosophy, social, and economic philosophy within socialism that supports Democracy, political and economic democracy. As a policy regime, it is described by academics as advocati ...

Pan-Africanism Pan-Africanism is a worldwide movement that aims to encourage and strengthen bonds of solidarity between all Indigenous and diaspora peoples of African ancestry. Based on a common goal dating back to the Atlantic slave trade, the movement exte ...
, , - , bgcolor=hotpink, , Africa Restoration Alliance , ARA , Jerome Swartz , 2020 , , , - , bgcolor=, ,
Minority Front The Minority Front is a political party in South Africa. The party represents all minorities of South Africa, however, its support comes mainly from the South African Indian community. Its voter base is in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The e ...
, MF , Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi , 1993 , Indian interests , , - , bgcolor=, , People's Revolutionary Movement , PRM , Nhlanhla Buthelezi , 2016 ,
Social conservatism Social conservatism is a political philosophy and variety of conservatism which places emphasis on traditional power structures over social pluralism. Social conservatives organize in favor of duty, traditional values and social institutio ...

National conservatism National conservatism is a nationalist variant of conservatism that concentrates on upholding national and cultural identity. National conservatives usually combine nationalism with conservative stances promoting traditional cultural values, ...
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Cape Independence Party The Cape Independence Party (CAPEXIT), previously called the Cape Party, is a political party in South Africa which seeks to use all constitutional and legal means to bring about Cape Independence, which includes the entire Western Cape, North ...
, CAPEXIT , Jack Miller , 2007 , Cape Independence
Direct democracy Direct democracy or pure democracy is a form of democracy in which the Election#Electorate, electorate decides on policy initiatives without legislator, elected representatives as proxies. This differs from the majority of currently establishe ...
, , - , bgcolor=, , Agang South Africa
en, Let Us Build South Africa , AGANG SA , Andries Tlouamma , 2013 ,
Liberalism Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality and equality before the law."political rationalism, hostility to autocracy, cultural distaste for c ...

Progressivism Progressivism holds that it is possible to improve human societies through political action. As a political movement, progressivism seeks to advance the human condition through social reform based on purported advancements in science, tec ...
,


Defunct parties

} , AEB , 1998 , 2003 ,
Afrikaner nationalism Afrikaner nationalism ( af, Afrikanernasionalisme) is a nationalistic political ideology which created by Afrikaners residing in Southern Africa during the Victorian era. The ideology was developed in response to the significant events in Afrik ...

Conservatism Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilizati ...
, 1 (1999) , - , bgcolor=, ,
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to: *Democratic Party (United States) Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to: Active parties Africa *Botswana Democratic Party *Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea *Gabonese Democratic Party *Demo ...

af, Demokratiese Party , DP , 1989 , 2000 ,
Conservative liberalism Conservative liberalism or right-liberalism is a variant of liberalism, combining liberal values and policies with conservative stances, or simply representing the right-wing of the liberal movement. M. Gallagher, M. Laver and P. Mair, ''Repre ...

Economic liberalism Economic liberalism is a political and economic ideology that supports a market economy based on individualism and private property in the means of production. Adam Smith is considered one of the primary initial writers on economic liberalism ...
, 38 (1999) , - , , Federal Alliance
af, Federale Alliansie , FA , 1998 , 2007 ,
Conservatism Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilizati ...

Libertarianism Libertarianism (from french: libertaire, "libertarian"; from la, libertas, "freedom") is a political philosophy that upholds liberty as a core value. Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state's en ...
, 2 (1999) , - , bgcolor=, ,
Independent Democrats The Independent Democrats (ID) was a South African political party, formed by former Pan Africanist Congress member Patricia de Lille in 2003 via floor crossing legislation. The party's platform was premised on opposition to corruption, with ...
, ID , 2003 , 2014 ,
Left-wing Populism Left-wing populism, also called social populism, is a political ideology that combines left-wing politics with populist rhetoric and themes. Its rhetoric often consists of anti-elitism, opposition to the Establishment, and speaking for the "comm ...

Social liberalism Social liberalism (german: Sozialliberalismus, es, socioliberalismo, nl, Sociaalliberalisme), also known as new liberalism in the United Kingdom, modern liberalism, or simply liberalism in the contemporary United States, left-liberalism ...
, 7 (2004) , - , bgcolor=, , National Party
af, Nasionale Party , NP , 1914 , 1997 ,
Christian democracy Christian democracy (sometimes named Centrist democracy) is a political ideology that emerged in 19th-century Europe under the influence of Catholic social teaching and neo-Calvinism. It was conceived as a combination of modern democratic ...

Conservative liberalism Conservative liberalism or right-liberalism is a variant of liberalism, combining liberal values and policies with conservative stances, or simply representing the right-wing of the liberal movement. M. Gallagher, M. Laver and P. Mair, ''Repre ...
, 82 (1994) , - , bgcolor=, , New National Party
af, Nuwe Nasionale Party , NNP , 1997 , 2005 ,
Civic nationalism Civic nationalism, also known as liberal nationalism, is a form of nationalism identified by political philosophers who believe in an inclusive form of nationalism that adheres to traditional liberal values of freedom, tolerance, equality, in ...

Conservatism Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilizati ...
, 28 (1999) } , KP , 1982 , 2004 ,
Afrikaner nationalism Afrikaner nationalism ( af, Afrikanernasionalisme) is a nationalistic political ideology which created by Afrikaners residing in Southern Africa during the Victorian era. The ideology was developed in response to the significant events in Afrik ...

Social conservatism Social conservatism is a political philosophy and variety of conservatism which places emphasis on traditional power structures over social pluralism. Social conservatives organize in favor of duty, traditional values and social institutio ...
, - , bgcolor=, , Labour Party
af, Arbeidersparty , AP , 1969 , 1994 ,
Coloured people Coloureds ( af, Kleurlinge or , ) refers to members of multiracial ethnic communities in Southern Africa who may have ancestry from more than one of the various populations inhabiting the region, including African, European, and Asian. South ...
's rights
Anti-apartheid
Labourism The labour movement or labor movement consists of two main wings: the trade union movement (British English) or labor union movement (American English) on the one hand, and the political labour movement on the other. * The trade union movement ...

Social democracy Social democracy is a Political philosophy, political, Social philosophy, social, and economic philosophy within socialism that supports Democracy, political and economic democracy. As a policy regime, it is described by academics as advocati ...
, - , , National Union
af, Nasionale Unie , NU , 1960 , 1966 ,
Centrism Centrism is a political outlook or position involving acceptance or support of a balance of social equality and a degree of social hierarchy while opposing political changes that would result in a significant shift of society strongly to the l ...

Social conservatism Social conservatism is a political philosophy and variety of conservatism which places emphasis on traditional power structures over social pluralism. Social conservatives organize in favor of duty, traditional values and social institutio ...
, - , bgcolor=, , New Republic Party
af, Nuwe Republiekparty , NRP , 1977 , 1988 ,
Conservatism Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilizati ...

Consociationalism Consociationalism ( ) is a form of democratic power sharing. Political scientists define a consociational state as one which has major internal divisions along ethnic, religious, or linguistic lines, but which remains stable due to consultation a ...
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Progressive Federal Party The Progressive Federal Party (PFP) ( af, Progressiewe Federale Party) was a South African political party formed in 1977 through merger of the Progressive and Reform parties, eventually changing its name to the Progressive Federal Party. For it ...

af, Progressiewe Federale Party , PFP , 1977 , 1989 ,
Anti-racism Anti-racism encompasses a range of ideas and political actions which are meant to counter racial prejudice, systemic racism, and the oppression of specific racial groups. Anti-racism is usually structured around conscious efforts and deliberate a ...

Liberalism Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality and equality before the law."political rationalism, hostility to autocracy, cultural distaste for c ...
, - , bgcolor=, ,
Progressive Party Progressive Party may refer to: Active parties * Progressive Party, Brazil * Progressive Party (Chile) * Progressive Party of Working People, Cyprus * Dominica Progressive Party * Progressive Party (Iceland) * Progressive Party (Sardinia), Ita ...

af, Progressiewe Party , PP , 1959 , 1975 ,
Anti-racism Anti-racism encompasses a range of ideas and political actions which are meant to counter racial prejudice, systemic racism, and the oppression of specific racial groups. Anti-racism is usually structured around conscious efforts and deliberate a ...

Liberalism Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality and equality before the law."political rationalism, hostility to autocracy, cultural distaste for c ...
, - , ,
South African Party nl, Zuidafrikaanse Partij , leader1_title = Leader (s) , leader1_name = Louis Botha,Jan Smuts, Barry Hertzog , foundation = , dissolution = , merger = Het VolkSouth African PartyAfrikaner BondOrangia Unie , merged ...

af, Suid-Afrikaanse Party , SAP , 1977 , 1980 ,
Conservatism Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilizati ...

Federalism Federalism is a combined or compound mode of government that combines a general government (the central or "federal" government) with regional governments (Province, provincial, State (sub-national), state, Canton (administrative division), can ...
, - , bgcolor=, , United Party
af, Verenigde Party , UP , 1934 , 1977 ,
Conservative liberalism Conservative liberalism or right-liberalism is a variant of liberalism, combining liberal values and policies with conservative stances, or simply representing the right-wing of the liberal movement. M. Gallagher, M. Laver and P. Mair, ''Repre ...

Monarchism Monarchism is the advocacy of the system of monarchy or monarchical rule. A monarchist is an individual who supports this form of government independently of any specific monarch, whereas one who supports a particular monarch is a royalist. ...
} , AP , 1941 , 1951 ,
Afrikaner nationalism Afrikaner nationalism ( af, Afrikanernasionalisme) is a nationalistic political ideology which created by Afrikaners residing in Southern Africa during the Victorian era. The ideology was developed in response to the significant events in Afrik ...

Conservatism Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilizati ...
, - , bgcolor=, ,
Dominion Party The Dominion Party was a political party in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, led by Winston Field. History The party was established in 1956 by a merger of several political groups and the remains of the Confederate Party, which had d ...

af, Dominiumparty , DP , 1934 , 1948 ,
Conservatism Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilizati ...

Monarchism Monarchism is the advocacy of the system of monarchy or monarchical rule. A monarchist is an individual who supports this form of government independently of any specific monarch, whereas one who supports a particular monarch is a royalist. ...
, - , bgcolor=, ,
Herenigde Nasionale Party The Herenigde Nasionale Party (Reunited National Party) was a political party in South Africa during the 1940s. It was the product of the reunion of Daniel François Malan's Gesuiwerde Nasionale Party (Purified National Party) and J.B.M. Hertzo ...

en, Reunited National Party , HNP , 1940 , 1948 ,
Afrikaner nationalism Afrikaner nationalism ( af, Afrikanernasionalisme) is a nationalistic political ideology which created by Afrikaners residing in Southern Africa during the Victorian era. The ideology was developed in response to the significant events in Afrik ...

Social conservatism Social conservatism is a political philosophy and variety of conservatism which places emphasis on traditional power structures over social pluralism. Social conservatives organize in favor of duty, traditional values and social institutio ...
, - , bgcolor=, , Labour Party
af, Suid-Afrikaanse Arbeidersparty , LP , 1910 , 1958 ,
Democratic socialism Democratic socialism is a Left-wing politics, left-wing political philosophy that supports political democracy and some form of a socially owned economy, with a particular emphasis on economic democracy, workplace democracy, and workers' self- ...

Social democracy Social democracy is a Political philosophy, political, Social philosophy, social, and economic philosophy within socialism that supports Democracy, political and economic democracy. As a policy regime, it is described by academics as advocati ...
, - , bgcolor=, ,
Purified National Party The Purified National Party ( af, Gesuiwerde Nasionale Party) was a break away from Hertzog's National Party which lasted from 1935 to 1948 In 1935 the main portion of the National Party, led by J. B. M. Hertzog, merged with the South African P ...

af, Gesuiwerde Nasionale Party , GNP , 1935 , 1940 ,
Afrikaner nationalism Afrikaner nationalism ( af, Afrikanernasionalisme) is a nationalistic political ideology which created by Afrikaners residing in Southern Africa during the Victorian era. The ideology was developed in response to the significant events in Afrik ...

Social conservatism Social conservatism is a political philosophy and variety of conservatism which places emphasis on traditional power structures over social pluralism. Social conservatives organize in favor of duty, traditional values and social institutio ...
, - , ,
Roos Party Tielman Johannes de Villiers Roos (8 May 1879 – 28 March 1935) was a right wing South African politician and sometime Cabinet minister. Labour politics Roos made his name as the leader of a group of young members of the South African Party ...
, RP , 1929 , 1935 ,
Afrikaner nationalism Afrikaner nationalism ( af, Afrikanernasionalisme) is a nationalistic political ideology which created by Afrikaners residing in Southern Africa during the Victorian era. The ideology was developed in response to the significant events in Afrik ...

Monetary reform Monetary reform is any movement or theory that proposes a system of supplying money and financing the economy that is different from the current system. Monetary reformers may advocate any of the following, among other proposals: * A return t ...
, - , bgcolor=, , Socialist Party , SP , 1938 , 1948 ,
Democratic socialism Democratic socialism is a Left-wing politics, left-wing political philosophy that supports political democracy and some form of a socially owned economy, with a particular emphasis on economic democracy, workplace democracy, and workers' self- ...

Social democracy Social democracy is a Political philosophy, political, Social philosophy, social, and economic philosophy within socialism that supports Democracy, political and economic democracy. As a policy regime, it is described by academics as advocati ...
, - , bgcolor=, ,
South African Party nl, Zuidafrikaanse Partij , leader1_title = Leader (s) , leader1_name = Louis Botha,Jan Smuts, Barry Hertzog , foundation = , dissolution = , merger = Het VolkSouth African PartyAfrikaner BondOrangia Unie , merged ...

af, Suid-Afrikaanse Party
nl, Zuidafrikaanse Partij
, SAP , 1910 , 1934 ,
Afrikaner nationalism Afrikaner nationalism ( af, Afrikanernasionalisme) is a nationalistic political ideology which created by Afrikaners residing in Southern Africa during the Victorian era. The ideology was developed in response to the significant events in Afrik ...

Liberal conservatism Liberal conservatism is a political ideology combining conservative policies with liberal stances, especially on economic issues but also on social and ethical matters, representing a brand of political conservatism strongly influenced by libe ...
, - , bgcolor=, , Unionist Party
af, Unionisteparty , UP , 1910 , 1920 ,
Monarchism Monarchism is the advocacy of the system of monarchy or monarchical rule. A monarchist is an individual who supports this form of government independently of any specific monarch, whereas one who supports a particular monarch is a royalist. ...

Protectionism Protectionism, sometimes referred to as trade protectionism, is the economic policy of restricting imports from other countries through methods such as tariffs on imported goods, import quotas, and a variety of other government regulations. ...


Extra-parliamentary parties

*Activists Movement of South Africa (AMSA) *
Africa Muslim Party The Africa Muslim Party is a South African Muslim political party. It was founded in 1994, with Gulam Sabdia as Chairman and Imtiaz Suleman as national leader, and competed in the 1994 elections, winning no seats (it had put up 60 candidates ...
(AMP) * African Change Academy *
African Christian Alliance African or Africans may refer to: * Anything from or pertaining to the continent of Africa: ** People who are native to Africa, descendants of natives of Africa, or individuals who trace their ancestry to indigenous inhabitants of Africa *** Ethn ...
(ACA) *
African Content Movement The African Content Movement (ACM) is a South African political party founded in December 2018 by former SABC acting Chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng. History At the party launch, Motsoeneng claimed he would become president, that t ...
(ACM) *
African Covenant African Covenant (ACO) is a conservative religious South African political party formed in 2018 by Convy Baloyi. The party is proposing the return of the death penalty for murder and abortion, and wishes to overturn the legalisation of same-s ...
(ACO) *
African Mantungwa Community African Mantungwa Community is a minor political party in South Africa. The party advocates land expropriation without compensation, free education, and support for traditional leaders. It is based in Kwazulu-Natal, and has close ties with the ...
(AC) * African Renaissance Unity (ARU) *
African Security Congress The African Security Congress (ASC) is a South African political party founded to lobby for the interests of private security guards, in particular for government to employ security guards directly. In November 2017, former African National Con ...
(ASC) * Afrikaner Volksparty * All Things Are Possible *
Alliance for Transformation for All The Alliance for Transformation for All (ATA) is a South African political party founded in 2018 to lobby for the interests of the taxi industry. The party is campaigning for subsidies to the minibus taxi industry, and for taxi drivers to self- ...
(ATA) *
Black First Land First Black First Land First (BLF) is a black consciousness, pan-Africanist and revolutionary socialist political movement and political party in South Africa. It was founded in 2015 by Andile Mngxitama following his expulsion from the Economic Fre ...
(BLF) * Cape Muslim Congress (CMC) *
Capitalist Party of South Africa The Capitalist Party of South Africa (ZACP) is a South African political party. The party was launched on 17 March 2019 at the Rand Club in Johannesburg, South Africa. The party was founded by Kanthan Pillay, Roman Cabanac, Neo Kuaho, Gideon Jou ...
(ZACP) *
CHANGE Change or Changing may refer to: Alteration * Impermanence, a difference in a state of affairs at different points in time * Menopause, also referred to as "the change", the permanent cessation of the menstrual period * Metamorphosis, or change, ...
(CHANGE) *
Christian Democratic Party __NOTOC__ Christian democratic parties are political parties that seek to apply Christian principles to public policy. The underlying Christian democracy movement emerged in 19th-century Europe, largely under the influence of Catholic social tea ...
(CDP) *
Civic Warriors of Maruleng The Civic Warriors of Maruleng (CWM) is a political party based in Limpopo, South Africa. The party won three seats in Maruleng Local Municipality in the 2016 municipal local elections, running on a platform of rural development and combating ...
(CWM) * Compatriots of South Africa (CSA) * Dabalorivhuwa Patriotic Front (DPF) *
Dagga Party Dagga Party, formally known as Iqela Lentsango: The Dagga Party of South Africa, is a South African political party founded in 2009 by Jeremy Acton, who remains the party's leader. "Dagga" is a South African colloquial term for cannabis, the leg ...
(IQELA LE) *
Democratic Independent Party Democratic Independent Party (; ) was a centrist political party in North and South Korea. The party was established on 19 October 1947. Its initiators were An Jae-hong, , Hong Myong-hui, Kim Ho, Pak Yong-hee, and Kim Won-yong. Of them, Hon ...
(DI) *
Dikwankwetla Party Dikwankwetla Party of South Africa is a political party in the Free State province, South Africa. The party was founded by Kenneth Mopeli in 1975. The party governed the bantustan state of QwaQwa from 1975 to 1994. It was one of the signatori ...
(DPSA) * Economic Emancipation Forum (EEF) *
ECOPEACE Party The ECOPEACE Party is a national Environmentalism, environmentalist political party in South Africa founded in 1995. The party was formerly known as eThekwini ECOPEACE and eThekwini Ecoparty—eThekwini is the Zulu language, Zulu name for Durb ...
(ECOPEACE) * Federal Party SA (FPSA) * Free Democrats (FREE DEM) * Gazankulu Liberation Congress (GLC) * Green Party of South Africa (GPSA) *Kannaland Independent Party (KANNALAN) *Karoo Democratic Force (KDF) * Karoo Gemeenskap Party (KGP) *
Keep It Straight and Simple Party The Keep It Straight and Simple Party (known simply as the KISS Party) is a minor South African Classical liberalism, classical liberal political party. It was founded by Claire C. Gaisford in 1994, when the first nonracial democratic elections ...
(KISS Party) *
Kingdom Governance Movement The Kingdom Governance Movement is a minor political party in South Africa. History Formed in 2013 by former African National Congress (ANC) chairperson of the finance committee in the Eastern Cape, Mkhangeli Matomela, the party aims to bri ...
*
Land Party The Land Party ( gl, Partido da Terra, ) is a Galicia (Spain), Galician political party that was established in 2011. Party platform The party platform, party's platform encompasses eight types of sovereignty: * Popular sovereignty, citizen sove ...
(LAND) *
MAP16 Civic Movement The MAP16 Civic Movement (MAP16) is a minor South African political party. It was formed after sixteen African National Congress (ANC) local councillors from the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality were expelled by the ANC for voting to unseat ...
(MAP16) * Namakwa Civic Movement (NCM) * National Conservative Party of South Africa (NKP) *
National Party South Africa The National Party South Africa (NP) is a registered South African political party, who competed for the Western Cape province in the 2009 provincial election and municipal council seats in the 2011 local government elections. History On 5 ...
(NP) * National People's Ambassadors (NPA) * National People's Front (NAPF) *
National Religious Freedom Party National Religious Freedom Party is a minor political party based in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. The party advocates support for traditional leaders, and has been active in campaigning against the dissolution of the Ingonyama Trust. The party ...
(NRFP) * New South Africa Party * The Organic Humanity Movement (OHM) *
Pan Africanist Movement The Pan Africanist Movement is a minor South African political party founded by Thami ka Plaatjie and others from a faction in the Pan Africanist Congress. After a year of in-fighting between supporters of Ka Plaatjie and PAC president Letlapa ...
(PAM) * Peace and Justice Congress (PJC) * Sakhisizwe Convention (S.C.) * Siyathemba Community Movement (SCM) * Socialist Green Coalition (SGC) * Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party (SRWP) *
South African Communist Party The South African Communist Party (SACP) is a communist party in South Africa. It was founded in 1921 as the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA), tactically dissolved itself in 1950 in the face of being declared illegal by the governing Na ...
(SACP) – part of the ANC-led "
Tripartite Alliance The Tripartite Alliance is an alliance between the African National Congress (ANC), the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the South African Communist Party (SACP). The ANC holds a majority in the South African parliament, while ...
" *
South African National Congress of Traditional Authorities The South African National Congress of Traditional Authorities (Sancota) is a South African political party formed in February 2019. The party is in alliance with Practical Radical Economic Transformation of SA (PretSA), formed by party member ...
(SANCOTA) *
South African Political Party The South African Political Party (SAPP) is a minor South African political party based in Mmabatho, North West province. It contested the provincial elections in the North West in 2009, 2014 and 2019, failing to win a seat and suffering a red ...
(SAPP) *
Spectrum National Party The Spectrum National Party (SNP) is a South African list of political parties in South Africa, political party founded in 2019 by Christopher Claasen, a businessman and pastor. The party failed to garner the minimum number of signatures requi ...
(SNP) * Sterkspruit Civic Association (SCA) *
The Peoples Independent Civic Organisation The Peoples Independent Civic Organisation (TPICO) is a minor political party in the West Coast District Municipality in South Africa. It had one councillor on the council of the Matzikama Local Municipality and one on the council of the Swartlan ...
(TPICO) *
True Freedom Party True most commonly refers to truth, the state of being in congruence with fact or reality. True may also refer to: Places * True, West Virginia, an unincorporated community in the United States * True, Wisconsin, a town in the United States * Tr ...
*
Truly Alliance Truly may refer to: Music *Truly (band), an American rock band * "Truly" (Lionel Richie song), a debut song by Lionel Richie * "Truly" (Delerium song), a second song by Delerium *"Truly", a song by Cigarattes After Sex from the album Cigarettes Af ...
(TA) *
United Congress The United Congress is a long-standing artist collective active in Calgary, Alberta from the late 1980s to the present day. The group combines conceptual art, silkscreen, music, constructed language, abstraction, and anti-art in its activities. A ...
(UNICO) *
Uniting People First Uniting People First is a minor political party in South Africa. The party aims to represent traditional healers and the LGBTI community. Uniting People First has contested a number of by-elections since its formation, but has failed to win re ...
* Us the People (US) *
Women Forward Women Forward (WF) is a South African political party founded aimed at uplifting women and advocating for women's rights. Initially formed to contest the 2009 South African General elections, the party grew and began running for elections itse ...
(WF) *
Workers and Socialist Party The Workers and Socialist Party (WASP) is a Marxist and Trotskyist political party in South Africa affiliated to International Socialist Alternative. History Marxist Workers Tendency WASP began life as the Marxist Workers Tendency (MWT), opera ...
(WASP) *
Ximoko Party The Ximoko Party is a minor political party in South Africa. It has no representation in the National Assembly or the provincial legislatures, but currently has 3 councillors at municipal level in Limpopo province as of 2019. History Formed ...
(XP)


Defunct parties

*
Abolition of Income Tax and Usury Party The Abolition of Income Tax and Usury Party was a South African political party founded in 1994. Objectives Its principal objective was monetary reform, which it wished to achieve by the establishment of a state bank, which would issue all ...
(1994–?) *
Afrikaner Party The Afrikaner Party (AP) was a South African political party from 1941 to 1951. Origins The Afrikaner Party's roots can be traced back to September 1939, when South Africa declared war on Germany shortly after the start of World War II. The then ...
(AP; 1941–1951) *
Boerestaat Party The Boerstaat Party ( en, Boer State Party) is a Boer nationalist South African political party founded on 30 September 1986 by Robert van Tonder. It was never officially registered as a political party because it was unable to rally 500 person ...
(BSP) * Christen Party/Christian Party (2005–?) * Christian Democratic Alliance (?–2009) * Christian Front (CF) (???–2014) *
Democratic Left Front The Democratic Left Front was formed as a non-sectarian and non-authoritarian anti-capitalist front in South Africa. It was formed from the ''Conference for a Democratic Left'' launched in 2008, at an event held in Johannesburg in January 2011. It ...
(2011–2015) *
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to: *Democratic Party (United States) Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to: Active parties Africa *Botswana Democratic Party *Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea *Gabonese Democratic Party *Demo ...
(DP; 1973–1977) *
Dominion Party The Dominion Party was a political party in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, led by Winston Field. History The party was established in 1956 by a merger of several political groups and the remains of the Confederate Party, which had d ...
(1934–1948) * Federal Alliance (FA; 1998–2007) * Federation of Democrats (2005–?) * Front Nasionaal (FN; 2013–2020) (previously Federale Vryheidsparty) *
Herstigte Nasionale Party The Herstigte Nasionale Party (Reconstituted National Party) is a List of political parties in South Africa, South African political party which was formed as a Far-right politics, far-right splinter group of the now defunct National Party (So ...
(HNP) *
Khoisan Aboriginal and Others Movement The Khoisan Aboriginal and Others Movement was a political party in South Africa. It was the first Khoisan party in South Africa and was launched in December 2008. It was led by Rodney January and sought to improve the livelihood of South Africa ...
(2008–?) * Labour Party (1910–1958) * Labour Party (1969–1994) *
Liberal Party of South Africa The Liberal Party of South Africa was a South African political party from 1953 to 1968. Founding The party was founded on 9 May 1953 at a meeting of the South African Liberal Association in Cape Town. Essentially it grew out of a belief that ...
(1953–1968) * Nasionale Aksie (NA; 2003–2004) * National Alliance (NA; 2009) * National Democratic Convention (NADECO; 2005–2009) * National People's Party (NPP; 2007–2016) * New Labour Party (NLP; 2004–2009) * Pro-death Penalty Party (2004?) * Progressive Reform Party (1975–1977) * Reform Party (1975–1975) *
Socialist Party of Azania The Socialist Party of Azania (SOPA) was a scientific socialist political party in South Africa adhering to Black Consciousness theory. In the 2004 general elections, it received 0.1% of the vote and no legislatorial seats at either the nati ...
(SOPA; 1998–2014) *
South African Business Party The South African Business Party (SABP) is a former political party in South Africa. In 2012, due to lack of funding, the group ceased to be a political party and transformed into an NGO named "South African People's Organization". It was deregist ...
(SABP; ?–2012) *
South African Democratic Congress The South African Democratic Congress (Sadeco) was formed in 2008 by Ziba Jiyane, the founder of the National Democratic Convention (NADECO), after he left in a dispute over leadership. Jiyane had been the Secretary-General of the Inkatha Freedom ...
(Sadeco; 2008–2011) *
South African Party nl, Zuidafrikaanse Partij , leader1_title = Leader (s) , leader1_name = Louis Botha,Jan Smuts, Barry Hertzog , foundation = , dissolution = , merger = Het VolkSouth African PartyAfrikaner BondOrangia Unie , merged ...
(SAP; 1911–1934) *
Ubuntu Party The Ubuntu Party was a minor South African political party founded in 2012 by author and songwriter Michael Tellinger. Based on the principles of Ubuntu Contributionism, the party espouses Tellinger's pseudolegal ideas. The party aimed to intr ...
(2012–2020) *
United Independent Front The United Independent Front (UIF) was a political party in South Africa. It broke away from the United Democratic Movement (UDM). Until his death in 2006, it was led by Malizole Diko. He and Nomakhaya Mdaka were the sole members of parliamen ...
(UIF; 2005–2010) * United Party (UP; 1934–1977) *
Workers Organisation for Socialist Action The Workers Organisation for Socialist Action (WOSA) was a Trotskyist organisation in South Africa. Launched in April 1990 as a national organisation, the WOSA was opposed to racism, tribalism and sexism and supports socialism, accountability, dem ...
(WOSA; 1990–?)


See also

*
Politics of South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a unitary parliamentary democratic republic. The President of South Africa serves both as head of state and as head of government. The President is elected by the National Assembly (the lower house of the South ...
*
List of political parties by country This is a list of ruling political parties by country, in the form of a table with a link to an overview of political parties in each country and showing which party system is dominant in each country. A political party is a political organizat ...


References


External links


Independent Electoral Commission
*
ANC's foes rise upKonrad-Adenauer-Stiftung: Political Parties in South Africa
{{Africa in topic, List of political parties in
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
Political parties A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific ideological or pol ...
Political parties A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific ideological or pol ...
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...