Policy Preferences for a Future Coalition Government - Nationalisation
This report investigates support amongst registered voters towards nationalisation of the health insurance, pension and school systems. It is the second of four reports that examine support amongst registered South African voters towards various policies that could be pursued by a future coalition government. The report is based on a survey of 1 835 demographically and geographically representative registered voters conducted by the Foundation during April of 2024. That survey had a margin of error of 2.2%. The way in which support or opposition to potential policy reforms was tested was by putting a series of statements about opposing policy reforms to survey respondents. The respondents were asked to say which of the opposing statements they agreed with and how strongly they agreed or disagreed.
With which of the following two statements do you agree: 'A future coalition government runs a two-tier healthcare system, in which people can decide for themselves who they purchase their own health insurance from and where they get medical treatment.' OR 'A future coalition government nationalises private medical aid funds and hospital groups so that only the government can provide medical services.'
First statement vs second statement
With which of the following two statements do you agree: 'A future coalition government nationalises all private pension funds and distributes the benefits equally to all South Africans.' OR 'A future coalition government allows people who are employed to invest their own money for their retirement on their own terms, using private pension funds.'
First statement vs second statement
With which of the following two statements do you agree: 'A future coalition government allow families and communities to chose whether they wish to send their children to public or private schools and universities.' OR 'A future coalition government abolishes private schools and universities to ensure that only the government can provide educations services through public schools and universities.'
First statement vs second statement
TENTATIVE CONCLUSIONS
Public opinion in South Africa is split roughly 60/40 against the nationalisation of healthcare services. Support for the nationalisation of pension funds split far more evenly. Both answers reflect the consequence of asking people who do not have something whether they would like to receive some of that thing for free. On nationalising schools public opinion split roughly 70/30 against, reflecting the fact that most South Africans have direct experience of the quality of services delivered by the state.
