Perceptions of South Africans in the Western Cape towards voter participation: a research report

Charmaine Iwu; Thulile Ngwexana; Kean Johannes Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of the Western Cape, South Africa charmaine.iwu@gmail.com

Introduction The following research report is about voter perceptions and voter participation in South Africa. In it the researchers tried to find out South African citizens perceptions about voting and the importance of participating in the elections. In the report three main research questions were asked; and these were: (a) Do politicians care? Sub-categories to this question included the - age, race and gender of the respondents; (b) Could Agang leader, Dr Mamphele Ramphele, help steer South Africa in the right direction to mobilize and increase voter participation in her possible contestation of the 2014 National elections? And (c) Is South Africa headed the right direction? The researchers felt that their research questions should include a focus on the current debate about Dr. Mamphele Ramphele who recently formed a party political platform. This research report includes the following sections: (i) Fieldwork Report which describes the challenges the researchers faced while conducting their fieldwork as well as what they learnt during the fieldwork process; (ii) Findings wherein the researchers outline their research findings (attached at the back of this report are the data-sheets). There are sub-sections that include cross-tabulations that include frequency distributions which are followed by paragraphs about the data in each table. The open-ended data is reviewed and the researchers indicate in their discussion whether the open-ended data confirms or refutes their quantitative data. (iii) Analysis in which an interpretation of what the research findings mean is provided with reference to literature. The conclusion of the report indicates the changes that the researchers would make to the research process and the research instruments to obtain more data on this topic. 1. Fieldwork Report

1.1 Firstly, the researcher interviewed people at Heathfield train station in the Western Cape to get a diverse response from people from various places. She randomly selected candidates to interview and experienced very few challenges. Individual respondents were willing to be interviewed and they had much to say about the current situation in the Western Cape. The researcher observed that most of the respondents felt the same about the lack of interest from the Western Cape provincial government towards people. The researcher also sensed that most people think that voting is important; however they felt that it is of no use since the ruling ANC will win the 2014 national elections anyway. The majority of the people were also saying that government does not deliver on its promises, this influenced respondents not to participate in voting. The overall picture the researchers perceived is that people have lost their confidence in the current government in the Western Cape. 1.2 Secondly, the researchers conducted research amongst students at the Stellenbosch University campus; there were no challenges that the researchers experienced there while conducting the fieldwork in terms of gaining access to students on campus. It was not a challenge because they were familiar with campus life, as well as students. Therefore, it took very little time to familiarize themselves with the student environment and the students before they could start with the fieldwork. Fortunately, respondents were friendly and spared some time to answer the research survey questionnaire. The researchers learnt that it is not easy to acquire the research data that they needed and they needed to be patient with students at all times. 1.3 Lastly, the researchers limitations centralized around two main issues, namely: time of the interview and the locations of which the interviews took place. The time limit of the interview limited the respondents from giving a well-documented answer; after all the respondents were answering freely. There seem to be a much greater underlying issue of the questions which illustrated their growing frustration with government. Therefore, the researchers needed more time to conduct the interviews so that the information or data collected could be more substantive which would definitely have benefited the quality of the research. The fieldwork was easy to conduct than expected, however some respondents were emotional. The respondents seemed to be frustrated by some of the government structures and processes. In many of the interviews conducted, because time was a factor it resulted in certain interviews taking place on locations which had many interruptions or disturbances. Some of the male respondents were
2

fathers, and some of the female respondents were mothers and were running households, which meant that the interviews were conducted in their living rooms whilst they were facilitating the needs of their young children. It would have been preferable to have conducted these interviews in an office or a designated room in which the respondents could have fewer distractions and could concentrate more on answering the questions so as to provide a better quality of answers. 2. Findings This section outlines the research findings, it includes frequency distributions followed by paragraphs about the data in each table; in it the researchers review open-ended data and indicate in their discussion whether the open-ended data confirms or refutes their quantitative data. 2.1 Cross-tabulations (quantitative data)
Q7B: Do you think politicians care? * Q3: Age Crosstabulation Q3: Age Under 25 Count Yes, politicians care % within Q3: Age Count Q7B: Do you think politicians care? No, politicians don't care % within Q3: Age Count Don't know % within Q3: Age Count Total % within Q3: Age 223 100.0% 86 100.0% 29 100.0% 10 100.0% 348 100.0% 1 0.4% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 1 0.3% 65.9% 67.4% 79.3% 70.0% 67.5% 147 58 23 7 235 33.6% 32.6% 20.7% 30.0% 32.2% 75 25-39 28 40-60 6 60+ 3 112 Total

According to the above cross-tabulation there are indications that show negative responses from respondents who indicate that politicians do not care about what people have to say. This is quite clear in the frequency distributions that a bigger percentage of people denied that politicians care about the citizens of the country. This indication is particularly high amongst the age group between 40 60. However, among the youth the percentage is greater with 65.9% indicating that the citizens are not the priority. There is a huge gap between those who agree and disagree that
3

politicians care. Could this have contributed to the lack of voter participation? There has been a steady decline in young people participating in elections since 1994, from 86% in 1994 to 59.8% in 2009 (Schulz-Herzenberg, 2009, p. 3).
Q7B: Do you think politicians care? * Q25: Gender Crosstabulation Q25: Gender Female male Unable to indicate Count Yes, politicians care % within Q25: Gender Q7B: Do you think politicians care? No, politicians don't care Don't know % within Q25: Gender Count Total % within Q25: Gender 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 0.6% 160 0.0% 155 0.0% 2 0.3% 317 Count % within Q25: Gender Count 26.3% 117 73.1% 1 36.8% 98 63.2% 0 0.0% 2 100.0% 0 31.2% 217 68.5% 1 42 57 0 99 Total

Q7B: Do you think politicians care? * Q26: Race Crosstabulation Q26: Race Black Yes, politicians care Q7B: Do you think politicians care? No, politicians don't care Don't know % within Q26: Race Count Total % within Q26: Race 0.7% 148 100.0% 0.0% 129 100.0% 0.0% 4 100.0 % 0.0% 15 100.0% 0.3% 296 100.0% Count % within Q26: Race Count % within Q26: Race Count 47 31.8% 100 67.6% 1 Coloured 38 29.5% 91 70.5% 0 Indian 2 50.0% 2 50.0% 0 White 5 33.3% 10 66.7% 0 92 31.1% 203 68.6% 1 Total

According to the above cross-tabulations the researchers noted that irrespective of age, race and gender, respondents share the same negative sentiment that politicians do not have an interest in their well-being. The percentage of females compared to males was exceeded by 10% with females at 73% and males at 63% who revealed that politicians do not care. Among the racial groups the ratio presented that Coloureds were at the highest, 70% followed by the Blacks 68%,

closely trailed by the Whites 67%. This evidence indicates that there is an overall trend that people agree that politicians do not care about the interests of people in the Western Cape.
Q10A: Have you heard of Agang? * Q3: Age Crosstabulation Q3: Age Under 25 Yes, I've heard of Agang No, I haven't heard of Agang Count % within Q3: Age 151 Count 68.30% % within Q3: Age Count Total % within Q3: Age 221 100.00% 86 100.00% 29 100.00% 10 100.00% 346 100.00% 43.00% 48.30% 50.00% 59.80% 37 14 5 207 70 31.70% 25-39 49 57.00% 40-60 15 51.70% 60+ 5 50.00% 139 40.20% Total

Q10A: Have you heard of Agang?

Dr. Ramphela is focusing on the 15-35 age group (Omar, 2013, p. 17). According to the above cross tabulation and frequency distributions there are more people within the overall cross tabulation that do not know about Agang compared to the people who said they have heard of Agang by a gap of 19.60 %. These findings show that Dr. Ramphele may have very little positive effect in voter participation within her target group.
Q10B: Do you know who Dr Ramphele is? * Q3: Age Crosstabulation Q3: Age Under 25 111 Count Yes, I've heard of Dr Ramphele 50.20 % % within Q3: Age 109 Count No, I have not heard of Dr Ramphele Q10B: Do you know who Dr Ramphele is? 49.30 % % within Q3: Age Count Don't know of her % within Q3: Age 221 Count 100.00 % Total % within Q3: Age 100.00 % 100.00% 100.00 % 86 29 10 1 0.50% 0 0.00% 1 3.40% 0 0.00% 36.00% 27.60% 30.00% 31 8 3 64.00% 69.00% 70.00% 25-39 55 40-60 20 60+ 7 Tot al 19 3 55. 80 % 15 1 43. 60 % 2 0.6 0% 34 6 10 0.0 0%

Dr. Ramphele does not have a serious constituency (Habib, 2013, p. 19). According to the above cross tabulation (Q10B) the frequency distribution shows a steady percentage of people who said that they have heard about Dr. Ramphele within all categories of ages of which they are the majority of indicators in the entire table. In comparison, the indicators who said no they have not heard of her is not a vast amount from ages 25 to 60+ and it is also quite steady, but it seems like there is not much of a difference in percentage between the under 25 age group category with the yes and no answer which again shows that young people do not really know much about her. Below is a graph that shows perceptions of whether South Africa is heading the right direction.

Do you feel that South Africa is headed in the right or wrong direction?
50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Right Direction Wrong Direction Dont know various options

total percentage

The South African voting population in the Western Cape is fundamental to the success of the political parties. A questionnaire was designed to establish whether the voting population was satisfied with the direction which South Africa was taking. Approximately 30% of the respondents were of the opinion that South Africa is heading in the right direction, a further 43.3

What can governemnt do to ensure more people particpate in the elections?

Government must no response be tranparent 4% State interventions 4% 3% Create a positive change 14% Awarness and Accountibilty 11% Less Corruption 11% Help the people 14% Inform & encourage 25%

Service delivery 14%

% of the respondents were of the view that South Africa was not heading the right direction and a further 26.6% of the respondents indicated that they do not know if South Africa is headed in the right direction. Could this be the reason why many of the voting population have revoked their right to vote? Although the sample statistics indicated very small figures of only 30 respondents it is evident in those samples that people have no faith in the government and the direction in which the country is heading. What can the Western Cape provincial government do to ensure that more people participate in the elections? This question created various reactions from the respondents. Below is a graph to show the responses.
7

According to the above graph a percentage of 25% of the respondents are of the view that the government should inform and encourage more citizens about the importance of voting as well as encourage more citizens to vote. Some other trends illustrated that 14% of respondents wanted better service delivery, another 14%, wanted the government to help more citizens and 14% of citizens just wanted to see a positive change in government. This illustrates that, of the respondents interviewed, many viewed the Western Cape provincial government in a negative way. A clear indication of the citizens unenthusiastic conviction about the Western Cape provincial government is indicated by 11% of respondents that in order to improve voting participation, corruption needs to be reduced within government ranks. 3. Analysis This section provides an interpretation of what the findings of the researchers mean. To form part of their interpretation they refer to literature. South Africans have the opportunity to enjoy democracy. However, there are many setbacks in the Western Cape that cause anger and frustration amongst citizens and non-citizens. This anger and frustration contributes to the decline in voter participation in the elections since 1994, as citizens have realized that their interests, such as eliminating poverty and unemployment, are not being met by government in the Western Cape. The Western Cape has seen its fair share of violence, from freedom fighting to gangster-driven violence and service delivery protests to widespread crime, such as rape, murder and violence against women and children. As Dr Nzimande in the Politicsweb (2013), the Secretary General of the South African Communist Party (SACP) mentions that the high crime, poverty, rape, violence against women and children are the challenges faced by leaders in the Western Cape. This article made reference to the brutal attack on Anene Booysen. Such incidences may well be the contributing factor to the lack of voter participation. This was another incident amongst many such similar cases that remind us that people are living in a violent society and people tend to blame government for not taking action against the perpetrators. The victims on the other hand, might feel that they are forgotten and made to suffer in silence which may well cause the lack of participating in the elections. Nzimande further adds
8

that, the system in the Western Cape reproduces inequality, and reinforces patriarchy in society. Inequality and patriarchy should not be entertained in a democratic society and should be eradicated which could well lead to more people taking an interest in voter participation. The research findings show a negative perception towards voter participation. The fact that the sample group of people in the Western Cape feel that politicians do not seem to care, could be a major contribution to their lack of participation in voting. The reaction to voter participation in general showed a mixed response, however largely negative. The researchers got the sense that people do not feel that their vote can make any difference even at 2014 national elections, as one respondent said that, people think that the ANC will win inevitably so why vote? The researchers also perceived that people do not want to participate in voting because promises by politicians are not being fulfilled. In another instance, a respondent indicated that, up until this present day, many peoples lives are unchanged. Promises were made and not fulfilled. This is only one instance where an individual felt that no change has occurred since apartheid. Could this be in the minds of many South Africans in the Western Cape? Could this perception lead to anger, frustration and violence? Indications between the ages of 40 and 60 (in the cross-tabulation do politicians care?) show that it is the youth who need to be mobilized in order for politicians and political parties to get their support. The youth are the future of this country and while more young people are eligible to vote, this country has nevertheless seen a decline in youth participation from all demographics. This is what Schulz-Herzenberg (2009, p. 3) claims that the voting age population (VAP) has grown significantly, by approximately 7 million between 1994 and 2009, while possible voters remained unregistered. Could it be that the young people do not identify with any party? The older generation has been loyal to the current ruling party since apartheid, yet they are not able to mobilize the youth who are the future leaders of this country. Can Dr Mamphela Ramphele and her party political platform help? Dr. Ramphele is the ex-Chancellor at UCT, therefore she seems to be known by people in society within communities that read and are educated. This is confirmed by some of the respondents that said, I read her academic work. Ive used her in my essays and I own one of her books; another respondent said, She was a freedom activist, had a high profile job at the

World Bank and I read a lot on her in newspapers and the internet. This shows that Dr. Ramphele appeals to a particular class in our society which is educated and has access to media and technology. However, Rampheles target age group is 15-35, but according to Omar (2013, p.17) 77% of her target group is outside the formal economy. Whilst one respondent said, I know she wants South Africans to be educated and learn more about democracy so that we will act and behave like a free nation; amongst other respondents within her target group, there were those who indicated that they do not know about her. Therefore, this shows that Ramphele may appeal to a particular section of our society that can analyze policy and make decisions about her policy offerings but there is very little evidence to confirm that she will have a positive effect on increasing voter participation. Dr. Ramphele is positioning herself to be the leader of the opposition against the ANC-led government and the ANC as the ruling party. One respondent said, she is badly wanted by cope but does not want to join. According to Matlala (2013, p.4) Agang leader, Mamphela Ramphele, has not ruled out the possibility of her joining forces with the existing opposition parties to contest the 2014 elections. Will Ramphele increase voter participation? Another respondent said, I know that she is in politics, but she is not under any political party, she wants to start her own party. Towards Rampheles intension that, she wants to start her own party, Jackson Mthembu (2013) National Spokesperson of the ANC (African National Congress) responded: It is also a disservice to the people of South Africa for those who are behind such formation not to have given clarity of what it is, that is new that they want to bring to the political terrain. The Agang/Akhani of Dr. Ramphele falls within this category. It is clear that this undefined political platform is a fore-runner to the formation of a political party by Dr. Ramphele. Unlike the above statement from the ANC, the leader of the opposition party, IFP, Mangosuthu Buthelezi (2013, p.19) has welcomed Dr. Rampheles announcement, believing that it will boost the ranks of the opposition and strengthen our shared fight to usher in a second republic under a new leadership of integrity and competence. However, political analyst Steven Friedman (2013, p.22) asserts that, Dr. Ramphele cannot even rely on support from BC (Black Consciousness) people. Political parties are not about what you say in the media. Political parties
10

are about networking. With this kind of political strategy will it translate to an increase in voter participation? Unfortunately, at this stage there is very little evidence to that effect. With reference to Schulz-Herzenberg (2009) the decline in electoral turnout in the Western Cape, since the founding elections of 1994, maybe due to the dissatisfaction of the voters with the performance of the ANC. Even though the ruling ANC continues to govern since 1994, there appears to have been a decline in eligible voters casting their ballots for the ANC in the Western Cape. The decline in electoral turnout does not occur because of the voters level of education or interest in politics, Schulz-Herzenberg (2009, p. 15) confirms this in her statement that, radicalized party attributes are clear and helpful information cues for all voters, regardless of their levels of education and interest in politics; and she concludes by stating that: The majority of floating voters is less cognitively mobilized and is most likely to abstain from the participating in electoral politics. Further, among those voters who are partisans, the vast majority probably does not have cognitive skills or political information that would enable them to shift their party support on the basis of ongoing party performance or policy positions. According to Schulz-Herzenberg (2009) individuals may be apolitical. An apolitical individual is a person who is less likely to become less involved in the electoral process because this particular individual has a straightforward approach to politics. Apolitical individuals are those that have a lack of interest regarding Western Cape politics and normally abstain from voting. This concept of apolitical individuals will have an immense impact on the 2014 national elections in the Western Cape and unless more registered voters exercise their right to vote, only then can a true reflection of an actively voting group exist. It is clear that the respondents identify that it is important to inform and encourage more citizens to participate in the elections even though some citizens are frustrated with the Western Cape government. Conclusion This study has noted that there is a high degree of apathy towards the ruling party. This sentiment is consistent with the older population. One gets the understanding that the older population has heard of all kinds of promises from the ruling party, yet they have received nothing in return. The study also found that the younger population especially had heard about
11

Agang but do not know who and what they stand for. Essentially, the study reveals that most of the population sampled indicated that they will not vote at the next national election. Further study of the subject must consider an enlargement of the population and a possible comparison of the results here with another province.

Reference List Politicsweb.( 2013, February 14). Capitalism and the Struggle Against Violence Against Women. Retreived from http://www.politicsweb.co.za Schulz-Herzenberg, C. (2009). Elections and accountability in South Africa.ISS Paper 188. Staff reporter. (2011, May 19). IEC expects poor voter turnout. Mail & Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.mg.co.za

12