Support for Federalism in South Africa
This report examines the perceptions of registered South African voters towards federalism. The data is based on a survey of 1 412 geographically and demographically representative registered voters commissioned by the Foundation in October 2023. That survey had a national margin of error of 5%. Totals may not add up to 100% where rounding has occurred or where participants refused to answer a question.
If the national government fails to provide a service, then provincial governments should be allowed to take that service over from the national government. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
By race
If the national government fails to provide a service, then provincial governments should be allowed to take that service over from the national government. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
By highest level of education
If the national government fails to provide a service, then provincial governments should be allowed to take that service over from the national government. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
By employment status
If the national government fails to provide a service, then provincial governments should be allowed to take that service over from the national government. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
By home language
If the national government fails to provide a service, then provincial governments should be allowed to take that service over from the national government. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
By income level
If the national government fails to provide a service, then provincial governments should be allowed to take that service over from the national government. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
By party affiliation
A new system of government in which provincial goverments could decide on more of their own laws and policies would be better than the the current system where most laws and policies are made by the national government. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
By race
A new system of government in which provincial goverments could decide on more of their own laws and policies would be better than the the current system where most laws and policies are made by the national government. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
By highest level of education
A new system of government in which provincial goverments could decide on more of their own laws and policies would be better than the the current system where most laws and policies are made by the national government. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
By employment status
A new system of government in which provincial goverments could decide on more of their own laws and policies would be better than the the current system where most laws and policies are made by the national government. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
By home language
A new system of government in which provincial goverments could decide on more of their own laws and policies would be better than the the current system where most laws and policies are made by the national government. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
By income level
A new system of government in which provincial goverments could decide on more of their own laws and policies would be better than the the current system where most laws and policies are made by the national government. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
By party affiliation
Tentative Conclusions
The data reveals that about three quarters of registered voters believed that if the national government fails to provide a service then provincial governments should be allowed to take that service over from them. This finding holds across lines of race, education level, employment status, home language, income and party affiliation. Just over 60% of voters believed that a more federal system of government based upon increased provincial powers would be better than the current system.
