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A critical crisis of democratic confidence in SA

The Mercury

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November 19, 2025

SOUTH Africa faces a critical crisis of democratic confidence as poverty, unemployment, failing services and entrenched corruption erode public trust, giving rise to authoritarian and xenophobic movements.

- MOHAMED SAEED | Pietermaritzburg

The ANC’s failures, amplified by opposition populism, have drained democracy of its principles. Restoring it will demand more than words. It requires jobs, justice and accountability, and leadership rooted in delivery rather than promises and rhetoric.

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