Commentator doubts South Africa's ANC can Win Western Cape in 2009 polls.

Text of report by South African privately-owned, established daily newspaper The Star website on 28 August

[Commentary by Max du Preez: "ANC Faces Uphill Battle in Western Cape"]

I'm not a betting man, but I will put money on it that the ANC is not going to emerge the victor in the Western Cape during next year's general elections.

This will probably not be the result of vast numbers of voters who had previously supported the ANC suddenly voting for the Democratic Alliance or the Independent Democrats, although these parties will probably show growth in support. My gut feeling is that ANC voters will stay away in droves.

Frankly, the ANC doesn't deserve to win in the Cape. ANC provincial leaders such as Mcebisi Skwatsha and Max Ozynski have …