The Captive Democracy of South Africa’s Coalition Governance

Coalition governance offers potential for enhancing democracy in theory; but the dominance of party-political funding and influence of elite and commercial interests from the minerals-energy-finance sectors risk exacerbating political and economic inequalities in South Africa.

Written by Rekgotsofetse Chikane

Feb 2, 2025

Photo illustration by Dami Mojid / THE REPUBLIC. Ref: DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE / FLICKR.

In 2024, South Africa’s young democracy reached a significant milestone. For the first time since the end of apartheid, the African National Congress (ANC), which has held a dominant position in national, provincial and local politics since 1994, failed to secure an outright majority in the national elections, falling short by a notable margin. This outcome reflects a growing shift in public sentiment away from the ANC that began after the 2016 local elections following decades of ANC governance, during which the party—initially celebrated as the liberator of the oppressed and the architect of a democratic South Africa—became enmired in sleaze and corruption.

The ANC’s failure to achieve a majority resulted in the formation of a coalition government, deemed a Government of National Unity (GNU). This coalition comprises ten political parties—substantial and minute—with differing ideologies and priorities, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), a long-time adversary of the ANC. This new political arrangement presents both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, it could herald a new era of inclusivity and broader representation for various social and political groups that have previously felt marginalized. On the other hand, there is concern that this shift may merely serve to reconfigure existing mechanisms of elite capture, as established political players continue to wield disproportionate influence despite the apparent diversification of government—and despite the voting behaviour of citizens which signified a stark departure from continuously voting for the ANC.

Like any other coalition, the GNU’s ability to govern effectively will be tested by competing interests and the need for compromise on core policy issues, ranging from economic recovery and job creation to social equity and service delivery. As South Africa navigates this critical juncture, the reality of its political ecosystem—marked by corruption scandals, socioeconomic challenges and growing public disillusionment—will play a crucial role in shaping the future of its democracy. However, what should also be carefully observed over the coming years is whether this new political landscape will lead to genuine reform and revitalization or reinforce existing power dynamics under a different guise—one informed by elite capture in the form of political funding.

Behind the scenes, South Africa’s political economy remains gripped by an entrenched system of extraction and exclusion, upheld by the shadowy influence of the Minerals Energy Financial Complex (MEFC). This nexus of mining, energy and finance elites has dictated the nation’s economic trajectory for decades under apartheid and democracy. While coalition politics may have disrupted single-party dominance, it has also ushered in fresh challenges in creating an equitable society.

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About the Author

Rekgotsofetse Chikane

is a lecturer in Public Policy at the Wits School of Governance and a research associate at the Wits Institute for Socio-Economic Research.

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The Captive Democracy of South Africa’s Coalition Governance