Among the main obstacles to creating a unified, cohesive and reconciled nation in the wake of South Africa's long history of apartheid and colonialism, 52% of respondents to the 2021 South African Reconciliation Barometer survey said the division between the rich and poor was the largest division in society, ahead of racial divisions identified by 50% of respondents.

The 2021 South African Reconciliation Barometer published by nongovernmental think-tank the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) surveyed 2 400 South Africans from all levels and groupings of society to measure the public perceptions of citizens to inform policy development.

The survey has been conducted since 2003 and the findings on the divisions within society have remained consistent, and the public perception that the division between rich and poor surpassing that of racial identities as the main division speaks to class elements of democratic South Africa, IJR South African Reconciliation Barometer project leader Mikhail Moosa said during a briefing on December 15.

However, race remains a major divisions, and these divisions are linked, given the relationship between class and racial identity in South Africa, he said.

"Inequality has been identified by the citizenry of South Africa as a major division in society, as well as highlighting a lack of restitution to address past inequalities. The results from the 2021 Reconciliation Barometer suggest that there is popular support for a united national identity, but that there are material and historical divisions to overcome before this vision can be realised," he said.

The findings suggest that a majority of South Africans agree that South Africans still need reconciliation, ahead of Reconciliation Day on December 16. Reconciliation is a complex and contested term, and the most common meanings of reconciliation by respondents are associated with forgiveness and peace.

"A majority, 72%, of respondents agree that South Africans still need reconciliation, but only a slim majority, 52%, of respondents agreed that South Africans have made progress in reconciliation since the end of apartheid."

The Reconciliation Barometer also showed that most respondents have not personally experienced reconciliation and that there is strong public support for further reconciliation in South Africa, he added.

"The era of democratic governance is only a small part of South Africa’s history as a modern State. For most of the period prior to democracy, people were governed under a combination of colonial and racially authoritarian rule. The legacies of the last few decades and centuries of these political systems are long lasting and it will take many years and sustained redress to overcome the divisions of the past. Most South Africans agree that these patterns of inequality still exist today," Moosa said.

Meanwhile, the results showed that public agreement on the desirability of a united nation has remained high since the first round of the Reconciliation Barometer survey in 2003 at 73%, and there is slightly more agreement on this statement in 2021 to 76%.

"Encouragingly, there has been more substantial growth in public agreement on the possibility of creating a united nation, rising from 61% in 2007 to 68% in 2021. Ultimately, this shows that most South Africans agree that, over time, it is possible and desirable to create a united nation, but there are still clear divisions in society that prevent this shared will from becoming a reality," he said.

This year's findings also showed that, despite the demographic diversity of South Africa and its history of mistrust among different groups, most South Africans express a high level of agreement with statements on national identity. There is also popular support for creating a united South African nation among the country’s different groups, with many believing this vision to be both possible and desirable.

Further, despite the rioting and disorder in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July, the survey shows that most South Africans agree with several principles of the rule of law, namely upholding the values of the Constitution and respecting the rights of public authorities to fulfil their duties.

"Two-in-three South Africans, or 68%, agree that the Constitution must be upheld in all circumstances and that the police always have the right to make people obey the law, at 64%. There are similarly high levels of agreement that the [South African Revenue Service] always has the right to make people pay taxes at 62%, and that courts always have the right to make decisions that people have to accept, with 59% of respondents agreeing," said Moosa.

The 2021 survey, conscious of the extraordinary circumstances facing people, included questions to gauge the impact of the pandemic on South Africans and their perceptions. The survey showed that most South Africans agreed that the government is able to provide essential services, such as social protection for the poor and recently unemployed, during the pandemic, he said.

Further, despite the difficult circumstances that many respondents have experienced, most South Africans are positive about their future prospects, and respondents are generally supportive of social relief being directed to all South Africans, regardless of demographic groups, and for means-based targeting of the poor.

"The survey also demonstrated the extent of the livelihood shocks that many South Africans have experienced. More than half of respondents, 54%, lost a close friend or family member during the past six months of the pandemic. Nearly half of respondents, 47%, were unable to pay their debts and a similar share of South Africans, 45%, said they had lost most of their income during the past six months to a year.

"Significantly, the primary concern among respondents is staving off hunger and starvation, while ensuring the health and well-being of their households. South Africans have had to demonstrate remarkable resilience to endure the shocks of the pandemic, and many respondents identified families and the government as the most supportive institutions," Moosa said.

Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation deputy director-general for national planning coordination Dr Annette Griessel welcomed the 2021 Reconciliation Barometer, and said it continues to provide valuable insight into the perceptions of citizenry that civil servants are mandated to represent.

"The Reconciliation Barometer is important to inform evidence-based policy making and planning as we continue to implement plans to achieve the National Development Plan and the aspirations of our citizenry. It has also highlighted the devastation of Covid-19 and how it has exacerbated existing inequalities and fault lines in society.

"The barometer also illustrated the livelihood shocks our people have experienced, such as being unable to pay debt or being unable to feed one's family, which is particularly concerning for government," she said.

Further, it is important to reflect on the national unemployment figures in light of the findings of the Reconciliation Barometer because issues of unemployment are linked to reconciliation and public trust in government, Griessel emphasised.

"The unemployment figures and the perceptions of reconciliation must remind us that there is a material basis for the continued racial inequality in the country," she said.