Abstract
This dissertation seeks to contribute to existing literature on the role of symbolism in organised political life, as it relates to similarities between political parties. And whether such similarities have an impact on voter behaviour and electoral outcome. It explores the claim made by political commentators that the growth of the African Independent Congress – a relatively small and unknown party from Matatiele, formed to reverse the demarcation of the town from the Eastern Cape to back to KwaZulu-Natal – was as a result of its striking similarity to the ruling African National Congress. Not only in name, but in logo as well.
In order to assess the merit of the accusations, the study employs triangulation method of data collection to use different forms of data to develop a consistent and comprehensive understanding to the phenomena. The findings, accordingly affirm the hypothesis that indeed, similarity in symbolism between political parties influence voter behaviour and electoral outcome. This was compounded by a historical account of the AIC and what spawned its formation: the AIC was founded on the hopes and dreams of Matatiele. And because the party was founded in response to a clarion call from locals to oppose the demarcation, its support base was naturally restricted to the town. Yet, when tracking the party’s results, is appeared to have a national footprint.
The premise is that the votes received by the AIC in far-flung areas that are not related to its formation and where its electoral message has no resonance, have been as a result of mistaken identity arising from confusion on the part of voters. This was solidified through tracking the party’s results through 6 rounds of elections – municipal elections 2006, 2011 and 2016; and the general elections of 2009, 2014 and 2019. The results of the elections, and the lack of campaigning, an electoral message with no resonance and no media coverage eliminate the possibility that the party may have received votes because of persuasion. As a result, the logical explanation becomes likeness in symbolism to the ANC.