When parties stay but voters drift away

The party system is standing, while the bonds between political parties and citizens crumble

- Owami Tshuma

Scepticism: Democracy depends not only on institutions but on public trust that they work for citizens. Yet many South Africans feel excluded. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

(Delwyn Verasamy)

South Africa has maintained a relatively stable democratic system for 30 years, amid institutional, economic and governance challenges. The country has held frequent multiparty national and local elections.

However, growing dissatisfaction among citizens regarding how democracy functions makes it crucial to examine the factors fuelling the discontent.

Political parties are an integral part of the institutions that shape democracy in South Africa, well before voting takes place every five years. They are involved in mobilising supporters, advocating policies and influencing public opinion, which collectively establish the foundation for electoral processes and governance.

Evidence indicates that citizens are disengaging from the parties that are supposed to represent them. As coalitions become the norm and traditional loyalties to political parties fade, the key issue shifts from the organisation of the party system to how South Africans perceive political parties.

The 2022 Afrobarometer survey highlights a concerning trend. The percentage of South Africans who are dissatisfied with “the way democracy works” reached 70% in 2022. Simultaneously, the proportion of those who do not feel close to any political party increased from about 53% in 2018 to 63% in 2022.

Together, the figures suggest that the dissatisfaction with democratic outcomes is accompanied by a growing sense of disconnection from political parties. Fewer citizens trust any party to improve the situation, posing a considerable risk to the overall health of the democratic system.