Party identification in South Africa: profiles for the ANC and the DA

This brief provides some profile information on the supporters of the major South African parties: the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA); and in order to provide accurate picture, it approaches each of them separately, utilising Afrobarometer survey data.

The document illustrates that the DA is a fundamentally urban party, with 88% of their party identifiers living in one or other town or city. The ANC too is a majority urban party at the moment—with 55% of their party identifiers living in such circumstances—but 45% of their close identifiers do live in rural areas.

Moreover, people who feel close to the ANC and the DA have quite different language profiles: majority of the DA profile speak Afrikaans while supporters of ANC speak all official languages. Furthermore, ANC supporters are more youthful. Likewise, there are differences in the educational levels of party identifiers: DA supporters are more educated than those who feel close to ANC.

The author suggests that each of these parties will have to decide whether these profiles are indicative of what they are trying to become. However, if they wish to change, change will be constrained by the ability of their supporters to transcend the boundaries of their geography, language, age and class.

How good is this research?
Assessing the quality of research can be a tricky business. This blog from our editor offers some tools and tips.
Read now

Related content

Document
Emerging economies and the changing dynamics of development cooperation
J. Gu, N. Kitano / Institute of Development Studies UK, 2018
Almost two decades have passed since ‘emerging donors’– new providers of development cooperation – began to attract the attention of ‘traditional donors'. Comprehensive comparisons of the various features of different types of donors have thus been elaborated on as their economic and political roles have solidified.
Document
Do more empowered citizens make more accountable states? Power and legitimacy in legal empowerment initiatives in Kenya and South Africa
F. Feruglio / Institute of Development Studies UK, 2017
Many marginalised groups face difficulties in accessing essential services, such as housing, health care and water – even though their rights to these services are enshrined in international and often in national laws.
Document
Client experience of rape victims accessing governmental post-rape services in South Africa
S. Johnson, N.B. Mahlalela, E. Mills / Institute of Development Studies UK, 2017
The absence of feedback mechanisms through which rape victims can hold government accountable for the quality of post-rape service delivery informed the rationale for the intervention discussed in this report. The study aims to better understand the experiences of rape victims accessing governmental post-rape services in South Africa.
Document
I know what I know (but how do I know what I don’t?)
D. Smit, I. de Lanerolle, T. Braam, D. Byrne, G. Legong / Institute of Development Studies UK, 2017
An important support function of Making All Voices Count South Africa is to design, plan and facilitate community of practice gatherings for sustained learning and sharing across Making All Voices Count grantees.
Document
Giving voice to clients of post-rape services: building and piloting a feedback mechanism in Tshwane
C.-M. Pegus, S. Johnson, N.B. Mahlalela / Institute of Development Studies UK, 2017
This practice paper reflects on the development of an appropriate and confidential feedback mechanism for users of post-rape services at Thuthuzela Care Centres / Rape Crisis Centres in Tshwane, South Africa.

Eldis

Party identification in South Africa: profiles for the ANC and the DA