South Africa is heading towards another crucial local government election, with more than 500 political parties registered in the country. On paper, that sounds like democracy offering voters more
choice than ever before. But a new Ipsos survey suggests that more choice does not necessarily mean more representation. According to the Ipsos Khayabus: Pulse of the People study, 47% of
South Africans say there is no political party that represents their views. Almost half the country, in other words, feels politically homeless. And this comes at a time when many communities are
becoming increasingly frustrated by the very issues local government is supposed to address — water, electricity, roads, housing, jobs and basic service delivery. Only 38% of respondents believe their local municipalities are doing their jobs well, while 38% of eligible voters say they have
no interest in politics or elections at all. Yet, despite the frustration and disconnection, there is still a remarkable contradiction: 64% say they want to vote in the upcoming local government elections.
So, if South Africans are unhappy with political parties, distrustful of institutions and disappointed by municipalities — why do so many still want to vote? Are voters losing faith in politicians, but not
necessarily in democracy itself? And perhaps most importantly: who exactly represents the millions of South Africans who feel politically homeless?