Voter Apathy Threatens South Africa

When citizens stop voting, democracy stops working. South Africa cannot afford apathy.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Written By: Christopher Paul Szabo

South Africa has a problem. A voter and voting problem. Aside from registered voters who do not vote, there are eligible voters who do not register to vote. I have a friend who falls into the latter category. Of course he is not alone.

In fact, he is in good company when one explores the extent to which voting apathy exists in South Africa. I use the term “voting apathy” in the first instance rather than “voter apathy” because I believe there are two distinct categories of citizens who have refused to either join the political system or have quietly quit the system…another form of “quiet quitting” more commonly associated with the workplace, where self-preservation leads to an emotional and mental checking out. In the voting context, potentially an analogous situation represented by those who are eligible to vote not registering (voting apathy), and those who are registered not voting (voter apathy).

The forthcoming municipal elections that will take place nationally have stirred conversation, but it is not clear to what extent such conversation has been galvanizing. The entry of Helen Zille into the mayoral race for Johannesburg has injected both energy and expectation that the city can be saved and may indeed be a harbinger of national politics to come.

This friend is not blind to the decay that has befallen the city of Johannesburg, where we live, but steadfastly refuses to register to vote and shrugs his shoulders when confronted with the need for every person eligible to both register and vote not just nationally but specifically in the upcoming municipal elections. No amount of urging or demanding has yet swayed him. Appeals along the lines of “if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem” or “if you don’t vote, don’t complain” (because he does complain), have failed so far.

It is the right of every citizen to vote, but it is not an obligation, albeit potentially an expectation. However, it should be noted where ‘enrolment’ to vote and voting is an obligation – Australia . There, democracy is not a spectator sport replete with armchair critics who have lots to say but find it hard to act. On the contrary, participation is mandated, and unless a valid reason for not voting is provided an AUD20 fine is imposed. It is viewed as a ‘civic duty’. One might argue that such a coercive approach is anti-democratic and indeed forcing voters to leave their homes, to join a queue and cast a vote may seem dictatorial.

However, it ensures that all voters have a say and their views are represented. There is always the option of a spoiled ballot if one is sufficiently outraged with the system. It is an interesting approach that appears to run contrary to how one thinks of a free society – freedom to participate or not. But, if obligation to vote contributes to and preserves democracy, does such an approach not have merit? This of course begs the bigger question as to whether having and exercising a vote represents the pinnacle of or reflects democracy. What use is a vote when the voters elect incompetent, corrupt, self-serving politicians who govern to benefit themselves?

You get the government you vote for, or the political system you overthrow a government for. Some have argued for a qualified franchise, citizens who are property owners, taxpayers and contribute actively…a discriminatory quagmire. Let citizenship suffice, and better arguments sway the voter. The issue is how to get eligible voters to not only register, but to vote – in South Africa - both locally and nationally.

The South African data on voter turnout paints a stark picture. The percentage has steadily decreased since 1994, which recorded a voter turnout of 86.87%. Since then voter turnout dropped to 66% in 2019 and to 59 % in 2024. Critically, the 2024 figure which comprised 16.3 million people represented only 41% of those eligible to vote, a historic low and reported as 15% lower than the average globally. In essence, the majority, i.e. 59% of those eligible to vote did not do so (whether registered or unregistered).

By definition, South Africa is a representative democracy where we vote for others to represent us in government. The majority party (more than 50% of parliament seats) forms the government. However, technically, if the majority who are eligible to vote do not, then we have a minority government that in terms of the generally understood principle of democracy being tied to majority rule means we do not have a democracy. In a sense, the people have abandoned democracy.

This is a cause for concern. If not democracy, then what? Reports have cited increasing percentages of voters expressing comfort with the possibility of autocratic or dictatorial rule if such rule improves their life circumstances. Of specific concern is the real sense that specifically younger people are turning away from participating in elections. This is borne out by data which shows that whilst the age group 18-29 represent almost 30% of those eligible by age to vote, only approximately 18% were registered to do so in 2024. It should be noted that for the 2014 national elections only 33% of those aged 18-19 who were eligible to vote were registered. Ten years later, it appears that the same cohort have not changed their mind. If youth represent the future, this is deeply troubling.

It is no coincidence that there has been an ANC government throughout the declining participation, notwithstanding the most recent national elections and the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU). This marked the beginning of a new era, which introduced meaningful oversight and accountability and a sense of what a change in government might yield. Whether the situation evolves remains to be seen. Whether such possibility will translate into increasing participation is unclear. The forthcoming municipal elections in Johannesburg and elsewhere may provide some indication, potentially serving as a bellwether for future national elections.

Returning to apathy, there are two key questions – ‘why’ and ‘how to reinvigorate the electorate’. Notwithstanding the GNU, there remains a sense of nihilism. More specifically, that one’s vote counts for nothing, changes nothing. And yet, if the majority of those eligible to vote are neither registered nor vote if they are registered, how is change possible?

The ruling party repeatedly promises change and reform, with fewer believing them, and more staying away from the polls. In a sense, their empty rhetoric disincentivizes voting, leads to apathy and erodes democracy with the perception increasingly that democracy, rather than a party, has failed.

Consequently, power is entrenched, instead of removed, with abstention rather than change seemingly the default position. That may explain the ‘why’, but has the electorate unwittingly been a willing participant in facilitating its own disillusionment and distrust, given that both appear to be driving the apathy? Maybe so. Understanding the problem might be easier than finding a remedy, noting that failure to do so places a hard-won democracy at risk.

There is nothing like success to motivate people to consider change. It has taken a while but just maybe the example of Cape Town has started to shift hearts and minds of Johannesburg residents, voters.

The entry of Helen Zille into the fray has introduced something that has been missing locally – a politician with a track record of success, both at a city and provincial level, notwithstanding any issues one may have with her style. The conversation has shifted to competence and delivery.

Truly serving the people and not the self. The bar has been set. A bar that should define all functional democracies and the standard by which democracy should be judged. Political parties and candidates aside, and they will fight it out, our democracy is at stake. Non-participation will only fuel its demise, and we will all lose. I hope my friend reads this, and others like him. A failed democracy cannot be an option.

Christopher Paul Szabo is an emeritus professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of the Witwatersrand. He writes in his personal capacity.