Elections 2024: Is the ‘born free’ generation losing faith in democracy?

As South Africa prepares for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections on May 29, the Ichikowitz Family Foundation has given people a look at youth voters’ intentions, based on its latest African Youth Survey Special Report on South Africa.

The NGO’s report coincides with the 30^th anniversary of the end of Apartheid.

According to the foundation, the African Youth Survey is one of the most important research studies on Africa’s youth. It is globally recognised as a leading in-depth exploration of how young people across the continent view themselves, their rights, and their place in the world.

The South African Special Edition 30 Years of Democracy Survey was conducted via more than 1 000 face-to-face interviews with 18- to 24-year-olds across the country.

Voting intentions

According to the survey’s results:

• Nearly two-thirds (63%) said they are registered to vote. The percentage increased to 68% among 22- to 24-year-olds. Among those with a university degree or higher qualification, voter intention climbed to 72%.
• Just under half (49%) said they are likely to vote; 16% said they won’t, and 35% haven’t decided.
• Of those polled, 69% said their voice matters (up from 54% just two years ago).

Rising support for a non-democratic government

While a third of the respondents said they would support non-democratic forms of government, up nine points from the 2022 study, 64% support democracy as their preferred form of government. Of these, half said government cannot simply emulate Western models but should look for an African style of democracy suited to their circumstances.

Fake news concerns

Of those surveyed, 79% are worried about fake news’ potential to interfere with their voting choice through misinformation. In addition, South African youth believe that fake news is deliberately utilised by politicians (82%), terrorist and criminal organisations (81%), foreign governments (80%) and religious organisations (77%) to push their agendas.

Challenges

Corruption in South Africa is the youth’s biggest concern, rising from 64% (very concerned) in 2022 to 85% in 2024.

Respondents’ other concerns include a lack of employment opportunities (82% ‘very concerned’) and gender-based violence (81% ‘very concerned’).

Environmental issues saw the largest increase in concern since 2022, with climate change rising from 37% (very concerned) to 63%, and water scarcity jumping from 43% to 69%.

The foundation’s chairman Ivor Ichikowitz says: “It is encouraging that the majority of South African youth still regard democracy as the preferred choice of government. However, it is alarming that a sizeable minority would consider a non-democratic system. These shifts in sentiment can likely be attributed to a growing desire for change in South Africa, driven by declining positivity about the future and increasing concern about the current state of the country.

“It is vital for leaders, present and future, to listen to the voices of our young people, whose frustrations with corruption, unemployment and crime are shaking their faith in democracy. As we celebrate 30 years of our young democracy, there is still an opportunity to address the challenges facing our younger generation as South Africans have long emblemised the triumph of the human spirit and the power inherent in forging new beginnings.”

Views on corruption

According to the survey, almost 50% of South Africa’s youth are planning to emigrate as corruption erodes their hopes for the future.

There has been an ‘alarming 21-point spike in concern about corruption’ since 2022.

In addition, 76% of respondents are dissatisfied with government’s efforts to crack down on corruption, and nearly half (48%) blame corruption for their difficulties in finding adequate employment.

Well over half (57%) would support tougher penalties against corruption.

“While youth are acutely concerned with the issue of corruption and how it is being addressed, they did express overwhelming support for a range of policies aimed at eradicating corruption from the country.

“Over 84% of South Africa’s youth are calling for the introduction of tougher punishments (for example, longer jail sentences) for those convicted of corruption. Another four in five approve of creating an independent police taskforce (85%), preventing those convicted of corruption from standing for public office (81%), and requiring that candidates running for positions in public office must not have a criminal record (79%).”

Three-quarters (74%) approve of requiring leaders to publish financial and business records each year. In addition, 48% ‘strongly approve’ of setting term limits for the president.

“Given the high levels of approval for anti-corruption policies and the concern placed on the issue of corruption, it is evident that South African youth are looking to the government and leaders to implement comprehensive change,” says Ichikowitz.

“Furthermore, it is clear that this change needs to be systemic. Clearly, youth in South Africa are aligned in their views that the current system has to change, and leaders must take comprehensive steps to improve South Africa’s future direction.”

Addressing job creation

Young South Africans are unified in their dissatisfaction with finding employment opportunities in the country, says Ichikowitz, with 77% dissatisfied with the current government’s job creation efforts.

In addition, 78% said it’s difficult to find a new job in the current job market.

“Barriers to finding a job include too much corruption (48%), and inadequate supply of quality jobs (30%).”

Addressing the legacy of apartheid

Most youth feel the post-apartheid reality in South Africa has fallen far short of successfully addressing a range of issues, and there is a growing expectation that standards have plateaued.

With regard to apartheid, only 45% see progress having been made to bring it to an end; 43% said there has been progress in creating a democratic government since the apartheid regime; 40% said enough has been done to develop a non-racial society; 37% said progress has been made in combatting state capture; and 31% see progress in fighting crime.

“Irrespective of what happens in South Africa’s general elections, there is a groundswell of feeling that needs an outlet, which can only be met through action. The question is what kind of action?

“Knowing what the problems are allows those who have the authority and the resources to make a real and positive difference. There are, as always, great reasons to be hopeful about the future of this continent and South Africa more specifically, but it would be foolhardy to ignore the warnings that are being expressed by our youth,” says Ichikowitz.

About the survey

Conducted by PSB Insights, a global leader in public opinion research, the 2024 African Youth Survey is the third of its kind to be fielded since the Ichikowitz Foundation launched the initiative five years ago.

Respondents were evenly divided by gender, aged between 18-24 years, and proportionately selected by established demographics.

There is no comparable barometer of the opinions of African youth in size or scope. This year, six new countries were included in the survey, namely Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, and Namibia.

The 10 other countries surveyed were Congo Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia.