Cape Town — A survey conducted by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) found that at least 70% of South Africans are set to vote in the 2024 general elections.
The Reconciliation Barometer is a survey done to to measure public opinion in the years following South Africa’s transition to democracy and the subsequent Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Process.
Reconciliation is measured through six domains, namely: political culture, inclusion, apartheid legacy, racial reconciliation, social cohesion, and perceptions of change. A select group is chosen fill out a questionnaire to gain an outlook on the perception of South Africans
Earlier today, we launched the 2023 SA Reconciliation Barometer during a media event in Cape Town. We invite you to download the report here and to study the findings.https://t.co/afdTGCCVpa pic.twitter.com/ZnaPTyFCtW
— The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) (@_IJR_) December 14, 2023
One of the key focuses was on elections. South Africa has experienced years of declining voter turnout at national and provincial elections. The upcoming 2024 polls are set to be highly contested, with a coalition of opposition parties vying for the electoral majority.
The survey showed that 70% of South Africans are likely to vote in 2024, which would exceed the 66% turnout in 2019. Voter-confidence in the Malema-led EFF has grown to 32%, a 20% increase since 2017. Support for the ANC has dropped to roughly37% since 2019, with the DA standing at 25%.
According to EWN, Professor Rajendran Govender from the University of Cape Town (UCT) says these figures are in line with a global malaise for dominant political parties.
“It’s not something where South Africa is unique and I’m not confident that that will actually translate into support for smaller parties. I think that would just mean greater abstinence from voting.”
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
