With South Africa’s democracy suffering from growing apathy with fewer eligible voters wanting to express themselves at the ballot box, award winning journalist Nickolaus Bauer notes that this apathy must be resolved with urgency or else South Africa will be faced with a situation where fewer and fewer people vote.

Bauer published a handy election guide – South Africa's Easy Election Guide: Who To Vote For in 2024? – which aims to provide an easily accessible reference for South Africa’s eligible voters to refer to as they look for the political party that best represents their aspirations.

This year’s upcoming elections are said to be a turning point in South Africa’s democratic journey and the high stakes pave the way for mis- and disinformation.

Bauer said political parties were meant to be the custodians of the South African people’s wishes and desires and it would, therefore, make sense that all South Africans who were eligible to choose a political party at election time know which party best represented their personal mandate.

As South Africa faces a downward trend in voter turnout, South Africa's Easy Election Guide: Who To Vote For in 2024? hopes to empower voters to make an informed decision.

Bauer interviewed 14 political parties – those represented in the National Assembly and those polling to enter the National Assembly.

In his book he summarises the major political parties’ standpoints on key issues in South African society, providing the reader with key insights into where they should leave their mark come election day.

The book focuses on issues such as job creation and economic growth; safety and security; foreign affairs; mineral resources; housing; and energy.

“We live in the most unequal society on earth, we have the highest rate of unemployed people and if we do not try and sort that out, as a matter of absolute urgency, we are on the road to chaos and consequence. Reading this book will not solve the problems you experience as a citizen; however, it will empower you to make an informed decision if you exercise your democratic right to vote in the upcoming 2024 general election,” said Bauer.

COALITION GOVERNMENT

There was speculation that the African National Congress (ANC) would not win an outright majority for the first time in democratic history, with Bauer saying the "magic number" was 45% or 46%.

“If we see the ANC dropping below that then they will not be allowed to form a coalition government with smaller parties, the likes of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), which is already governing with the ANC in various councils, and then the ANC will have to start engaging with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for support in order to get across the 50% line. I think the conversation changes then in terms of what we can expect post the elections in 2024,” he said.

He explained that the ANC governing with one of two smaller parties such as Al Jama-Ah, the PA or perhaps the Inkatha Freedom Party was a completely different kettle of fish from the ANC needing to rely on Julius Malema’s EFF to get into the National Assembly as the head of a coalition government.

Bauer highlighted that the EFF had made no secret that if it were to go into coalition with the ANC, it would want to seek the nationalisation and redistribution of land, also looking to nationalise certain sectors of the economy.

Click here to download 'South Africa's Easy Election Guide: Who To Vote For in 2024?'