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07 March 2024 Photo SUPPLIED
Gcina Mtengwane teaches in the Community Development Programme at the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, University of the Free State, Qwaqwa Campus.

Opinion article by Gcina Mtengwane, Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, University of the Free State.


The notion that 2024 could echo the transformative spirit of 1994 holds weight. South Africans find themselves in a pressing need for positive social, economic, and political change. Yet, the avenue through which this change will manifest - a reformed African National Congress (ANC), an opposition party or a coalition government - remains unchartered territory. South Africa is on a downward trajectory. As various international indexes project corruption and poor governance, noting also that those indexes may not at times be accurate, the lived experiences of South Africans echo despair, disillusionment, and a betrayal of promises for a better life, particularly among the working class and the poor. 

The first democratic election in 1994 heralded an era where a new government had the opportunity to represent the interests and aspirations of all citizens, countering the discriminatory policies of apartheid. It fostered optimism for equal access to opportunities and life chances regardless of race, religion, gender, class, or ethnicity.

However, the transition to democracy, like any new venture, brought forth both opportunities and challenges. Actualising the vision of a ‘rainbow nation’ necessitated tangible legislative reforms and macroeconomic strategies beyond mere rhetoric. Consequently, initiatives such as the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) in 1994, the Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) strategy in 1996, The Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA) in 2005, the new Growth Path in 2010, and the National Development Plan vision 2030 were implemented. While the efficacy of these macroeconomic frameworks remains contested, there is a consensus that more can be done and perhaps differently.

Parallels between 2024 and 1994? 

South Africa grapples with high unemployment, alarming crime rates, and an education system ranked among the world’s worst. South Africa is among the most unsafe countries in the world with an estimate of 27 494 murders recorded in 2022-2023. Ranked at 50th out of 63 countries, its education system is rated among the worst performing in the world. The education system fails to equip matriculants with practical skills for sustainable livelihoods. Additionally, funding exclusions and high dropout rates plague higher education, exacerbating the crisis. NSFAS has proposed defunding certain qualifications from its budget and half of those who do make it to universities drop out in their first year.  Moreover, South Africa measures the highest income inequality in the world, with a Gini coefficient of around 0.67, race being a key factor in a society where 10 per cent of the population owns more than 80 per cent of the wealth.

Persistent income inequality and deeply entrenched racial disparities are hindering the opportunities for upward social and economic mobility for the majority, notably the youth. The unemployment rate among youth, which includes persons between 15 and 35 years old, is around 60%. There is low support for and a high failure rate of start-up small to medium enterprises (SMMEs) with between 70% to 80% failing in the first five years of operations. There is a high rate of youth neither in employment nor in education or training (NEETs).  Data shows that 32.6% of graduates struggle to find work within the first two years of graduation, implying that for some, regardless of educational attainment, there is no optimism regarding the prospects for a better future.

The issues highlighted above are just some of the issues facing South Africa. These challenges underscore the urgent need for well-conceived and actionable solutions. A governing party must demonstrate clear policy direction and effective implementation mechanisms to uplift the most vulnerable while safeguarding the rights of all citizens, irrespective of race. However, certain radical policy proposals, like affirmative action and land expropriation without compensation, pose significant ideological divides.

Opportunity to nurture democracy

South Africa boasts over 30 years of democratic experience, providing invaluable lessons from past elections. There is a unique opportunity to nurture democracy and freedom, as is enshrined in the constitution, ensuring the well-being of current and future generations. The prospect of a coalition government looms large, potentially marking a historic shift. While unprecedented at the national level, coalition governance has been trialled in various municipalities including Johannesburg, Nelson Mandela Bay, and Ekurhuleni. However, these experiments often resulted in governance failures, characterised by instability and policy dissonance, rather than cohesive leadership. Political rivalry among the parties undermined service delivery and good governance, leading to the failure of coalition governance at the local government level.

Policy misalignment emerges as the key impediment to coalition success. The recent formation of the ‘Moon-shot pact’ underscores the necessity for aligned policy positions among coalition partners to avert governance crises.

Voter implications

Voting entails entrusting a political party with the responsibility to serve the interests of millions. It demands an informed understanding of the party’s policies as outlined in its manifesto. While individual charisma may sway voter preferences, informed decisions are imperative amidst South Africa’s challenges and opportunities. 

News Archive

Krieket - Kovsies klop SUT
2005-01-31

Johan de Jager - Volksblad OFSKOON die spanne nie op volsterkte was nie, was die superligawedstryd tussen die Universteit van die Vrystaat (UV) en die Sentrale Universiteit vir Tegnologie, Vrystaat (SUT), Saterdag op Tokkiepark in Bloemfontein 'n toonbeeld van goeie klubkrieket. Die Kovsies het hul onoorwonne rekord behou toe hulle met ses paaltjies geseëvier het. Hulle het die wenteiken van 233 lopies in die 48ste boulbeurt oortref. Die voormalige kaptein Gerald Fourie (95 nun) het die aanslag gelei, terwyl die wenspan se Ryan McLaren (2/46 en 46) 'n veelsydige vertoning gelewer het. McLaren het hom op 'n driekuns bevind toe hy die laaste twee paaltjies ingeoes en toe byna 'n vyftigtal gemoker het. Die tuisspan het goed begin. Hy het egter ses paaltjies in die laaste tien boulbeurte verloor. Die Kovsies het mooi herstel nadat hulle 24/2 gehad het. Die tuisspan se Dewald Pretorius het met 2/11 ná agt boulbeurte gespog . Die wedstryd op CBCOB se veld tussen die tuisspan en SUT II is ná 'n ruk se spel aanvanklik afgelas omdat toestande as te gevaarlik bestempel is, maar is later die middag hervat en oor 25 boulbeurte aan 'n kant beslis . SUT II is vir 82 lopies uitgehaal, waarna CBCOB die wenlopies behaal het met nog vier paaltjies staande . Schoemanpark was in Mangaung met vyf paaltjies aan die wenkant teen Rocklands, terwyl Polisie sy tweede agtereenvolgende nederlaag in die tweede ronde gely het nadat die Peshawars hom naelskraap met 'n paaltjie op die UV-ovaal geklop het. Die tuisspan se Ferdi Botha (116) se honderdtal het gehelp dat die Peshawars die wedstryd met nog twee aflewerings oor kon wen nadat Polisie vroeër 221/8 aangeteken het. Die beknopte telkaarte is: SUT 232 (I. O'Neill 37, H. von Rauenstein 67, G. Liebenberg 26, G. McLaren 28; C. Deacon 2/47, R. McLaren 2/46, G. Perry 2/29, C. Ingram 2/44); UV 234/4 (R. McLaren 46, G. Fourie 95 nun, C. Linde 27, E. Weirich 27 nun; D. Pretorius 2/29). Kovsies wen met ses paaltjies. SUT II 82 (J. Labuscagne 21, A. van Deventer 16; J. Chemaly 3/11, M. Mashimbyi 2/7, J. Malao 2/19); CBCOB 84/6 (M. Mashimbyi 22, T. van der Westhuizen 21, P. Stander 21; R. Daniël 2/6, R. Wessels 2/17). CBCOB wen met vier paaltjies. Rocklands 107 (D. Makopanele 22); Schoemanpark 108/5 (J. Smith 37; N. Sefuthi 2/14). Schoemanpark wen met vyf paaltjies. Polisie 221/8 (W. Nel 86, B. Hector 62; N. de Bruin 4/49, J. Mostert 1/19, R. de Kock 2/50); Peshawars 222/9 (F. Botha 116, J. Mostert 26; W. Thies 3/30, E. van Niekerk 3/43). Peshawars wen met 'n paaltjie.

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