Collette Schulz-Herzenberg – The Conversation

Voters queuing at a polling station in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, South Africa in May 2024. J. Countess/Getty Images

December 11, 2024

Jacob Zuma’s MK Party poses a major threat to South African democracy – new book

Collette Schulz-Herzenberg, Stellenbosch University and Roger Southall, University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa’s 2024 election was characterised by a shift in power and new threats to democracy – despite the majority still opting for the political centre.

The African National Congress has lost electoral support but remains dominant. Phill Magakoe / AFP via Getty Images.

June 18, 2023

South Africa’s ruling party is performing dismally, but a flawed opposition keeps it in power

Collette Schulz-Herzenberg, Stellenbosch University and Robert Mattes, University of Cape Town

Dissatisfied ANC voters were much more likely to switch their votes if they held positive views of an opposition party. However, the problem for the opposition is that few people held these views.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa delivering the 2022 state of the nation address. GCIS/Flickr

February 11, 2022

Ramaphosa delivers clear analysis of South Africa’s problems. But will he act on them?

Collette Schulz-Herzenberg, Stellenbosch University

Reviving the capacity of the state is also crucial to shoring up support for democracy in the long term.

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