Are South Africans happy with their democracy?
"South Africa ns are unhappy with how their democratic system responds to their real needs," said Jan Hofmeyr, Policy and Analysis Programme head at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation and the core partner director for implementing Afrobarometer's work in Southern Africa .
"The growing dissatisfaction with the country's direction and concerns over unemployment, electricity provision, and corruption are the most intractable problems we face," Hofmeyr said."There has been a steady increase in the percentage of South Africans feeling the country is not moving in the right direction."
He contrasted this with previous years:"This dissatisfaction has grown over time. In 2011, only about 39% were unhappy with the way democracy was functioning, whereas now it's 62%. This shows incremental increases over time." "So while most indicated they were registered and likely to vote, around a third of likely voters remain undecided, highlighting uncertainty about the election outcome," Hofmeyr said.In regards to the introduction of independent candidates, at least half of South Africans view it positively, while a quarter disapprove. At least 45% supported the idea of forming a governing coalition, although 28% disapproved.
Hofmeyr concluded by saying that South Africans continue to suffer under the burden of poverty, inequality, and employment despite some major gains in the first decade of democracy. "Progress seemed to have stalled over the past decade and a half. And for this reason, there has been growing satisfaction also with how democracy has functioned in addressing this triple scourge of poverty, inequality, and unemployment," he said.
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