Support for democracy down

SOUTH AFRICA: ACCORDING TO AFROBAROMETER SURVEY, MORE THAN 80% BELIEVE CORRUPTION IS UP

- Ciaran Ryan

Citizens in Zambia, Ethiopia far more satisfied with the system than those in Mzansi.

The latest Afrobarometer survey shows support for democracy in South Africa is collapsing at an alarming rate while perceptions of corruption are sharply up.

The survey comes on the heels of the May 2024 election that forced the ruling party to share power with the Democratic Alliance and other centre-leaning parties. That, one would think, would have restored some confidence in SA's democratic journey, but that's not what the Afrobarometer survey is telling us.

There's been a 29 percentage point drop in support for democracy in SA, and a 35 percentage point decline in "satisfaction with democracy" since 2011, amid growing disillusionment with government's inability or unwillingness to address corruption.

Weaker support for democracy is explained by declining socioeconomic and political performance, as well as declining election quality, increasing levels of corruption, and failure to promote the rule of law.

SA's support for democracy slid to second last in Africa, having previously been among the most ardent advocates of this form of governance.

Citizens in Zambia, Ethiopia and Senegal are far more satisfied with democracy than their counterparts in SA.