Over the last 31 years, many voters have lost confidence in believing in “a better life for all”, if the last national election results are anything to go by. Voter apathy has grown significantly because of public (mis)governance, political bickering and failures to advance the interests of the poor and marginalised. Increasingly, more voters are probably becoming disenchanted given the looming 2026 local government elections.
Undeniably, the trust deficit between some voters and political parties has clearly widened. Those without avowed political affiliation probably cannot identify a credible political party to support. This climate of political discontent emanates from service delivery failures including water unavailability, electricity unaffordability and health service shortages.
In addition, illegal immigration, spiralling crime and community policing are complicating daily life. The overarching challenges are a stagnant economy, dwindling job opportunities, rife poverty, organised crime syndicates and widespread public sector corruption. Despite the government’s successes in ending electricity blackouts, providing social security grants, improving some aspects of service delivery, upgrading the national road infrastructure, eradicating zama-zamas and injecting investment programmes, some voters appear weary and confused.
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Clearly, when some dare to compare the current government’s service delivery record to that of the erstwhile apartheid regime, the political system has reached a point of derision. The fermenting anxiety is also driven by the current ideologically and politically discordant GNU, which is beleaguered by periodic infighting about ministerial improprieties, support for Palestine, BBBEE, education and land expropriation amendment laws. However, the coalition parties have decided to paper over their differences because “it’s cold outside”.
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