Stronger Democratic Governance Is not Optional for South Africa
- Balisa Mhambi
- Jul 20
- 7 min read
In post-apartheid South Africa, strengthening democratic governance is no longer an option; it is urgent and necessary to restore legitimacy, accountability, and for social cohesion. When democratic institutions falter, public trust and confidence are the first casualty, and rebuilding trust is the state’s greatest test. This blog reflects on South Africa’s journey to democratic governance, exploring the meaning and impact of democracy for South Africans post-apartheid. It also emphasizes the need for strengthened democratic governance for sustainable development in South Africa.
South Africa’s Journey to Democratic Governance
For South Africans, democracy marked the beginning of a society founded on equality, symbolizing a better life for all. On 27 April 1994, the country held its first democratic elections. Nearly 20 million South Africans queued outside voting stations to cast their votes.[1] For the first time in history, all South Africans over the age of 18, regardless of race or colour, had the right to cast their vote.[1]
This historic moment marked the rise of the ANC-led government, with Tata Nelson Mandela inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratic president following the end of the apartheid. The ANC won the election with 62.65% of the majority votes; however, despite securing a majority, the ANC opted to form a Government of National Unity (GNU).[2] The GNU represented more than just power-sharing, it symbolized a national commitment to reconciliation, inclusive governance, and the dismantling of the apartheid era structure. A cornerstone of this new era was the adoption of the South African Constitution which laid the foundation for democratic institutions and a capable and inclusive state. As the supreme law of the land, the Constitution not only defined the framework for governance, but it also safeguards fundamental human rights, promotes social justice and holds public officials accountable. It remains essential in upholding democratic values, including the protection of human dignity.[3]
The ANC-led administration embarked on a mission not just to construct and develop South African institutions, but to pursue democratization and socio-economic transformation, whilst fostering national reconciliation and building broad-based consensus. Central to this agenda was a commitment to improve the lives of South Africans, particularly the poor.[1] It was a critical journey aimed at restoring public confidence and trust in government, a trust that had been systematically eroded under the apartheid system. The success of the democratic government depended not only on constitutional reforms but also on government’s ability to uphold law, and order, deliver justice, improve services and demonstrate a genuine commitment to societal well-being, especially for the most vulnerable people in our society.
Key policies programmes and policies
Following the end of apartheid in 1994, the ANC-led government implemented a series of key programmes and policies aimed at addressing the legacy of inequality, poverty and underdevelopment, in particular in black communities. Among the most significant initiatives were the Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP), Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR), the New Growth Path, the National Development Plan (NDP), and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE). These programs brought hope to many South Africans by improving access to basic services, reducing poverty and promoting economic inclusion. Between 1994, and 2015, the population with access to electricity, improved water sources, and improved sanitation facilities increased steadily. In 2015, 93% of the population had access to improved water source compared to 83% in 1994. In 1994, 62% had access to electricity, and this rose to 87% in 2014.[4] Social grants became a major instrument of poverty alleviation, expanding coverage of around 4.2 million beneficiaries in 2002 to over 17 million people by 2017, reaching almost a third of the population.[5] These grants, particularly child and old age-pensions, contributed significantly to reducing extreme poverty and income inequality. Additionally, public investments in education and healthcare narrowed gaps in access.
Despite high youth unemployment and persistent inequality with South Africa ranking among the world’s most unequal countries with a Gini coefficient of 0.65 in 2015.[6] It is fair to say that the democratic initiatives had a measurable and positive impact on the lives of many South Africans. These post-apartheid programmes not only aimed to transform society but played a key role in strengthening governance and rebuilding trust. These efforts improved service delivery, built strong public institutions, encouraged democratic participation and to some extent enhanced transparency and accountability in government institutions.
Where We Are with Democratic Governance in South Africa
The key question is thus: where does South Africa stand today in its journey of democratic governance? After 30 years in power, the ANC lost its majority to 40,18%[7] in what became the most highly contested national election since the end of apartheid.[8] Facing this new political reality, the ANC entered into South Africa’s second GNU on 14 June 2024. This coalition was formed by several political parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and Patriotic Alliance (PA) which are among the first to join following the 2024 general elections, leaving the ANC without the parliamentary majority required to govern alone. This historic shift marked a new chapter in South Africa’s democratic evolution. It not only signaled a move towards power sharing but also exposed the deep-rooted issues affecting citizens on the ground.
Erosion of public trust and confidence in the ANC-led government
Many voters in the 2024 general elections participated to exercise their democratic rights, but their votes also reflected a growing sense of dissatisfaction and eroded trust and confidence in the ANC-led government. According to the Institute of Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), leading in to the 2024 elections, majority of South Africans felt that the country was heading in the wrong direction opposite to the democratic and inclusive society that the South African Constitution articulates as the goal of government.[9] As cited by the IJR between 2011 and 2014, public satisfaction with how South Africa’s democratic system functions dropped sharply from 60% to 39% as referenced in the Afrobarometer data.[9] During the same period, dissatisfaction with democracy nearly doubled. While the study showed that South Africans continue to favour democracy over other forms of government, there is a growing disconnection between public expectations of democracy and their lived experience under the democratic rules. Overall, the evidence suggests that South Africa’s democracy is falling short of fulfilling its fundamental commitments. It has not successfully tackled enduring issues such as poverty, inequality and unemployment, whilst public trust and confidence continue to erode. This increasing disconnect with the nation’s trajectory highlights broader concerns about the democratic system’s failure to prevent the country’s decline.[9]
Besides ongoing challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality, there are major issues that have contributed to the erosion of public trust and confidence in government. These include state capture and widespread corruption scandals, poor service delivery, the persistent energy crisis linked to load shedding and Eskom, weakening democratic institutions and the slow pace of land reform and economic inclusion. Together these issues have not only exposed South African government failures but have widened the gap between the democratic promises of the state and the lived realities of South Africans. As such it has become urgent and important to restore public trust. This will require a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive reforms that address both institutional integrity and socio-economic transformation.
Why It's Important to Restore Public Trust and Confidence
South African democracy is evolving and as the country navigates this period of transition, it is critical to strengthen democratic governance by restoring public trust and confidence in governance. Upholding accountability and ensuring social stability, must be central to this effort. As the government stands at a critical crossroad, introspection and reflection have become more important than ever. There is an urgent need to root out corruption, uphold the rule of law, restore confidence in public systems and processes and improve service delivery. At the same time, efforts must be intensified to address socio-economic challenges more effectively and inclusively.
To address the changes in perception of governance in South Africa, the starting point is rebuilding citizen’s trust in democracy. According to a survey report by the OECD, trust is an important indicator to measure how people perceive government institutions. Trust reduces transaction costs in governance, in society, and in the economy, and eases compliance with public policies. Trust can help foster adherence to challenging reforms and programmes with better outcomes. As such, in democracies, robust levels of trust along with healthy levels of public scrutiny can help legitimize and protect democratic institutions and norms.[10]
To continue to strengthen democratic governance, public institutions and those in governance must:
Ensure all people’s voices are heard and represented.
Reinforce checks and balances among institutions,
Base decision making on transparent, verifiable and high-quality evidence whilst balancing the interests of all citizens to build trust, especially in national government.
Engage more effectively with citizens to empower them to address complex policy challenge,
Foster healthy, evidence-based information environments, and
Invest in reliable responsive and fair public services, particularly at the local levels.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa.
References
The South African Government. Highlights of the 25 years of freedom and democracy. Accessed at: https://www.gcis.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/resourcecentre/multimedia/25%20Years%20of%20Freedom%20booklet.pdf.
University of Stellenbosch. The road to democracy in South Africa. Accessed at https://study-democracy.sun.ac.za/study-guide/part-1-introduction/the-road-to-democracy-in-south-africa/. Accessed 11 July 2025.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, approved by the Constitutional Court (CC) on 4 December 1996 and took effect on 4 February 1997.
World Bank. (2018). Overcoming poverty and inequality in South Africa: An assessment of drivers, constraints and opportunities. Washington, DC: World Bank. https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/530481521735906534/overcoming-poverty-and-inequality-in-south-africa
The conversation. Accessed at: Why social grants matter in South Africa: they support 33% of the nation on 17 July 2025
Statistics South Africa. Accessed at: how unequal in South Africa ? | Statistics South Africa on 17 July 2025.
Electoral Commission of South Africa. Accessed at https://results.elections.org.za/dashboards/npe/ on 15 July 2025
University of Stellenbosch. The road to democracy in South Africa. Accessed at https://study-democracy.sun.ac.za/study-guide/part-1-introduction/the-road-to-democracy-in-south-africa/. Accessed 11 July 2025
Institute of Justice and reconciliation. Accessed at: Trust in the Government and its institutions. What support for a GNU governing coalition in South Africa? – IJR on 15 July 2025.
OECD. OECD Survey on Drivers of Trust in Public institutions – 2024 results. Building trust in a complex policy environment (2024).
Author's bio
Balisa Mhambi is an African development enthusiast with extensive research expertise and experience in public policy and regulation in Competition Economics & Policy, Financial Inclusion, Behavioural Economics, and Economic Development. She is a Competition Analyst with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) and holds an MCom in Economics.
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