How Mandela's ANC lost its way in South Africa and voters deserted it

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The African National Congress once rose above politics in South Africa as a movement dedicated to freeing the country from the oppression of apartheid with the lofty principles of democracy, equality and a better life for all.It was widely revered as a force for good when it became South Africa's ruling party in 1994 under Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned for 27 years by the apartheid regime for his opposition to the system of racial segregation.But three decades after the ANC transformed from a liberation movement to a political party in government, it faces growing dissatisfaction from South Africans who feel it has failed to live up to its promises. Results released Sunday from last week’s local elections showed the party's share of the vote dropped 15 percentage points to just 31%, as South Africans rebuked it for failing to deliver basic services such as water and electricity.The ANC, which once commanded 70% of the vote and had no challengers, conceded to being humbled in the local elections — its worst performance at the ballot box ever. The party's secretary-general called it a “catastrophic outcome” for the ANC an...