Fewer South Africans back democracy, support for military rule is rising - survey

Fewer than half of South Africans actively support democracy, and for the first time in over 25 years, more citizens say they would accept military rule than oppose it.

Those are some of the recent findings from the Afrobarometer survey, which reveals a nation grappling with dissatisfaction and disillusionment.

Economic hardships, high unemployment, crime, and service delivery challenges are some of the reasons why nearly seven in 10 respondents say they're unhappy with how democracy functions.

Political analyst Stephen Friedman said it's an international trend.

"Around the world, there is a great deal of dissatisfaction with democracy."

And that’s understandable, he said, adding that the issue is less about dissatisfaction with democracy itself and more about the kind of democracy people are currently experiencing.

"The way democracy has been operating for quite a long time now, really doesn't meet people's needs."

The survey shows that the number of people supporting democracy has increased since the historic low recorded in 2021. 

"The problem with the model of democracy which has been sold to us for the last 30 years is that it is a model of democracy in which citizens really don't have terribly much control over anything," said Friedman.

As a result, he said, it's no surprise that many South Africans choose not to vote.

"And that's the real problem."

To listen to Friedman in conversation with CapeTalk's John Maytham, click the audio below: