Growing frustration of electorate erodes initial trust

Decreased support for the ANC in the May elections was expected.

But a decline from 57% to 40% marked a turning point in SA’s democracy. It also confirmed the general decline in popularity of former liberation movements as governments in Southern Africa.

I have since the late 1990s pointed at the shortcomings of liberation movements as governments. Elections in Namibia in November might also confirm for the governing South West African People’s Organisation (Swapo) a decline in popularity.

Once anti-colonial movements’ mission was accomplished, hopes were high. Ordinary people expected a significant change for the better, also in material terms.

Instead, a new elite took control of government, mainly for its own benefits. The growing frustration of the “liberated” has since eroded their initial support. The loss of trust has taken its toll. The consequences include erstwhile liberation movements developing into kleptocracies, equating the party with the state and developing cultures of entitlement.

After the end of colonial rule, struggle mentalities unfolded as authoritarian mindsets. As part of the International Studies Group at the University of Free State, Keaobaka Tsholo, concludes, the transition of former liberation movements into political parties has not led to good governance.

As summed up in the editorial of a Namibian newspaper: Even a cursory look at the former liberation movements that eventually ascended to political power in Southern Africa reveals their evolution into parties that have vacuumed resources meant for the benefit of the poor and still disadvantaged.

The younger generations raised after the end of white minority rule respond – as diagnosed by the scholar in African politics Sara Rich Dorman – with frustration to the “shattered illusion of the postliberation state”.

SA professor of politics William Gumede presents a long list of failures. It includes: one-partyism, ethnic politics, leadership cults, party-state fusion, political intolerance, secrecy, violence, permanent entitlement and moral bankruptcy. As he concludes: African independence and liberation movements turned governments have often become obstacles to building lasting democracies.

They have squandered the trust given them by the electorate.

For the ANC and Swapo, elections in 2024 mark a watershed. Factors contributing to their decline have been a culture of entitlement, culminating in state capture and corruption without delivery to the benefit of all. Like the ANC, Swapo has had a significant loss of support.

Independence without a firm basis for democracy, human rights and wellbeing (also in terms of material security) is far from liberation.

The ruling elites in Southern Africa have demonstrated that they are less interested in democracy than they are in pursuing their self interest and retention of power. They are willing to sacrifice the constitutionalism they fought so hard for, as in Zimbabwe.

The willingness of the ANC to recognise and respect the will of the electorate sets a new standard.