One year after the formation of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) following the 2024 elections, public confidence in political leadership and institutions remains stubbornly low, according to the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation’s (IJR) 2025 South African Reconciliation Barometer (SARB). The survey, the longest-running public opinion poll on reconciliation in the world since 2003, involved face-to-face interviews with 2,006 nationally representative respondents between July and August 2025.
Stagnant or Worsening Perceptions
Despite the “dramatic shift” to multi-party coalition governance, the SARB paints a picture of continuity in distrust, doubt, and division—mirroring 2023 trends with some indicators declining further. Key declines include reduced feelings of recognition and respect across linguistic and cultural lines, alongside widening regional, geographic, and socioeconomic divides. Researchers attribute this to the persistence of familiar parties, leaders, and agendas post-election.
Only 31-33% of respondents expressed “a great deal” of confidence in the GNU’s effectiveness, with 34% reporting little to none. Eight in ten South Africans distrust national leadership overall. Trust in institutions is equally dismal, with local government at a record low of 26%—unchanged from prior years—followed by the president, legal system, and SAPS at around 33% each.
Political Party Confidence: Universally Low
No major party escapes the skepticism. Over half of respondents reported little to no confidence in the top parties:
| Party | Little/No Confidence (%) |
|---|---|
| ANC | 50 |
| DA | 54 |
| MK | 54 |
| EFF | 53 |
Provincial Variations in GNU Confidence
Respondent province emerged as the strongest predictor of views on the GNU, highlighting deepening geographic divides:
| Highest Confidence Provinces | Lowest Confidence Provinces |
|---|---|
| Western Cape | Northern Cape |
| North West | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Limpopo | Free State |
GNU’s Rocky Road: Expert Insights
Elections expert Emeritus Professor Susan Booysen describes the GNU as “tottering from one near-death experience to the next,” citing Cabinet disputes, a contested legislative agenda, a rejected national budget, and ideological clashes over foreign policy (e.g., Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts). Tensions peaked between the ANC and DA over key legislation: the DA opposed the pre-2024 National Health Insurance (NHI) and Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Acts, as well as the 2025 Expropriation Act.
Reconciliation: Still Essential, But Blocked by Inequality
Just over half of respondents see progress in citizen-to-citizen reconciliation, yet 73% insist South Africa still urgently needs it in 2025. The top barriers? Poverty and income inequality, viewed as the nation’s deepest divide and greatest obstacle—far outpacing race, language, or culture. SARB Senior Consultant Kate Lefko-Everett emphasised that economic inequality shows the least progress toward reconciliation.
Path Forward: Urgent Calls for Action
The report warns that “intransigent challenges” like unresponsiveness and limited post-1994 changes persist, with public dissatisfaction unabated under the GNU. To rebuild trust, leaders must prioritize:
- Government Responsiveness and Anti-Corruption: Deliver “substantive and visible progress” to prove democracy’s value.
- Economic Inclusion: Tackle poverty, unemployment, and inequality to foster stability and cohesion.
