A different kind of storm brewing in South Africa

[Nat Quinn]

The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) has released its 2023 South African Reconciliation Barometer survey report which provides insight into the progress of reconciliation (or lack thereof) in the country.

“After two decades of research, the Reconciliation Barometer has found evidence of both profound challenges and progress in reconciliation,” said the IJR.

This year’s results show low levels of agreement from respondents that there have been improvements in South Africa’s economic inequality, employment, and personal safety since the transition into democracy. However, it shows optimism in the nation’s future improvements, particularly for social relationships.

The institute says that the results, which are separated into three categories (ranging from low to high-levels of reconciliation), “point to key areas for intervention by government, civil society organisations and citizens, including urgently increasing economic equality and participation, rebuilding public trust and supporting the next generation of active citizens.”

“Inequality has been consistently identified as the biggest source of division in the country since the first round of the Reconciliation Barometer survey in 2003 and is also viewed as one of the areas of least improvement since the transition to democracy in 1994,” they added.

The public opinion survey interviewed over 2,000 South Africans, asking more than 200 questions across six conceptual dimensions of:

• Political culture;

• Inclusion;

• Social cohesion;

• Apartheid legacy;

• Racial reconciliation;

• Perceptions of change.

Areas of concern

According to the IJR, there is a serious lack of trust and confidence in both leadership and the state, which they have dubbed the “storm on our stoep.”

This is due to various issues such as frequent power outages and the high cost of living, widespread poverty, inequality, and unemployment in the country, which hinder efforts towards reconciliation, social cohesion, and stability.

The concerning responses from respondents show that:

• 81% believe that national leaders are not concerned about ordinary people;

• 79% think leadership cannot be trusted to do the right thing;

• 33% expressed confidence in parliament;

• 33% have confidence in the legal system;

• 32% expressed confidence in the national government;

• 35% have faith in the president;

• 82% believe that corrupt South African officials get away with it; 

• 74% think there is no real political will to fight corruption;

• 19% think corruption will improve in the next 2-3 years.

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Where progress has been made, but more is needed

Seen as the “clouds on the horizon“, the IJR has noted “moderate reconciliation” in areas of politics, race relations, and reconciliation after apartheid.

The responses which show moderate progress include:

• 51% feel like they do not understand important issues affecting South Africa;

• 52% believe that they are less informed than other people about politics;

• 47% think that they are “unqualified” to participate in politics;

• 76% believe that leaders should follow the will of the people;

• 74% say that citizens should make important policy decisions;

• 70% say that they are likely to vote in 2024;

• >40% of South Africans regularly socialise with people of other races;

• 54% believe that their loved ones have experienced reconciliation since the end of apartheid;

• 76% say that reconciliation is still needed in the country.

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Where progress has been achieved and maintained

The IJR says that these results are where “the sun shines in Mzansi,” showing high levels of reconciliation. These areas include that of national identity, consensus about the past, and the ideal of achieving unity.

Positive findings of the survey include:

• 85% say that being South African is an important part of how they see themselves;

• 79% agree that apartheid was a crime against humanity (this is a vital foundation for reconciliation), additionally agreeing that it is still important to support people who experienced human rights abuses under apartheid;

• 77% of South Africans agree that there is more that unites us than keeps us apart; 

• 75%  believe that a more united country is desirable;

• 72% believe that a more united country is possible.

The report concludes with the IJR saying that “maintaining and advancing the progress that has been made in reconciliation will require urgent and dedicated work to address some of the key challenges facing the country. These include creating a more inclusive, equitable economy and build trust in government, leadership and one other.”

 

SOURCE:A different kind of storm brewing in South Africa – BusinessTech

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