A DEMOCRATIC MILESTONE: why South Africa’s 2026 elections matters for Africa

South Africa’s greatest victory in the 2026 municipal elections was not who won, it was the fact that the election itself worked. In a continent where free and fair elections remain the exception rather than the rule, South Africans witnessed a peaceful, competitive, democratic contest in which political power shifted without constitutional crisis, widespread unrest, or the breakdown of public institutions. Before debating the results, South Africans of all races, cultures and convictions should celebrate the democracy that made those results possible. CONGRATULATIONS SOUTH AFRICA

In a continent where many elections are still marred by intimidation, manipulation, constitutional engineering, or disputed and violent outcomes, South Africa’s 2026 elections stand out as a significant democratic achievement. Even though the ANC continued to lose its grip on power after three decades in control, the result was accepted, the institutions held, and the constitutional order remained intact.  This, in an African context, is still more the exception than the rule.  South Africans should be grateful and proud at the same time.

The fact that the African worldview of fear and power dominate election results on the continent often turn unfavourable results into unfavourable outcomes.  That does not mean African nations do not have democracies or lack elections. Most African countries hold elections. The question is whether those elections meet the standards of genuine democracy: independent electoral commissions, freedom of speech, a free press, strong opposition parties, transparent counting, judicial independence, and the real possibility that the ruling party can lose power.  South Africa’s 2026 election was remarkable because it met all of these criteria.

A DIFFERENT LANDSCAPE

The 2026 municipal elections revealed a very different landscape than the first democratic elections in 1994.

In 1994 the ANC won approximately 62.6% of the national vote under Nelson Mandela.  During the recent elections the ANC received about 30.8% of the vote nationally in the municipal elections, its lowest level of support since 1994. The DA increased its support to roughly 24.6%

The 1994 election was largely driven by identity and aspiration.  The 2026 election was largely driven by performance and frustration.

• 1994 said: “Give us a new South Africa.”
• 2026 said: “Prove that you can govern South Africa.”

FROM A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

From a Christian perspective, there is an interesting parallel.  Israel celebrated the Exodus, but eventually God judged leaders not by how they began, but by how they governed. Liberation was a great achievement, but it did not exempt leaders from accountability.

Likewise, South Africans may continue to honour the ANC’s role in ending apartheid while simultaneously questioning its performance in government. Gratitude for the past and accountability in the present are not mutually exclusive.

Perhaps the greatest difference between 1994 and 2026 is this: In 1994 South Africans voted with their memories. In 2026 many voted with their expectations.

That may prove to be one of the most significant political shifts in the country’s democratic history.

But the votes alone is not the strongest indicator of a mature democracy.  The fact that the governing party could lose significant support and still accept the outcome is one of the strongest indicators of South Africa’s democratic maturity.

A CONTINENTAL COMPARRISON

Several respected democracy indicators place South Africa among the strongest electoral democracies in Africa. According to V-Dem data, South Africa ranks near the top of the continent and globally stronger than countries such as the USA, Israel and Europe in general.  [ourworldindata.org]

A useful perspective is this:

• Africa has 54 countries.
• Data by V-Dem with estimates of the extent to which political leaders are elected under comprehensive voting rights in free and fair elections, and freedoms of association and expression are guaranteed, score South Africa .73 out of 1 (most democratic) while the continent as a whole only score .37
• Only a small group consistently achieve high ratings for electoral freedom and democratic competition.
• Many countries experience elections marked by voter intimidation, media restrictions, military influence, violence, one-party dominance, constitutional manipulation, or disputed results.
• Several African states have recently experienced coups or democratic backsliding. If we look at major African elections since roughly 2014, some notable cases involving significant violence or deadly unrest include:
• Burundi (2015)
• Uganda (2016 and 2021)
• Democratic Republic of Congo (2018)
• Mozambique (2019 and 2024)
• Guinea (2020)
• Tanzania (2020)
• Nigeria (2019 and 2023)
• Kenya (2017)
• Zimbabwe (2018 and 2023)
• Ethiopia (2021)
• Senegal (periods leading up to the 2024 election)

Therefore, if we define a free and fair election as one where:

1. voters can genuinely choose among alternatives,
2. opposition parties can campaign freely,
3. votes are counted honestly,
4. courts remain independent, and
5. the ruling party can lose,

then South Africa belongs to a relatively small group of African democracies where these conditions largely exist.

CONGRATULATIONS SOUTH AFRICA