Why are millions of South Africans emotionally checking out of politics?
In this episode of Making Sense, Gareth Edwards speaks to HSRC Research Specialist Dr Ngqapheli Mchunu about the sharp decline in voter turnout, the rise of political disillusionment, and the growing crisis of democratic trust in South Africa.
The conversation explores why more than 11 million registered voters stayed home during the 2024 elections and what that says about the relationship between citizens and the political system meant to represent them.
Using voter behaviour research, turnout data, and democratic participation trends, Dr Mchunu explains how unemployment, inequality, corruption fatigue, and service delivery failures are driving civic withdrawal across the country.
The episode also challenges the assumption that young people simply do not care about politics. Instead, it asks whether many South Africans, particularly younger voters, have stopped believing that participation leads to meaningful change.
From collapsing trust in political parties to the dangerous consequences of low turnout, this is a conversation about what happens when democracy starts losing the confidence of its people.
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