Survey of

South African Voter Opinion

March 2024
Methodology
Click to edit Master title style
• Nationally representative phone survey of South Africa.
• Utilised random digit dialing (RDD) methodology.*
• Weighted to national statistics on gender, age and province.
• Only registered voters.
• N = 1506.
• Margin of Error: 3% at the 95% confidence interval.
• Fieldwork: 12-28 February 2024.
• 15-minute questionnaire.
• The results have been modelled on the basis of the 66% turnout of the last
General Election in 2019.
*Selecting telephone numbers at random from the universe of
09/03/2024 possible numbers in South Africa 2
2024 General Election
The ANC wins 39% of the vote, DA 27%, and MK
Click to edit
Party 13%. Master
The MPC* wins 33%title style
Thinking ahead to the next general election, which party will you vote for?
45%

40% 39%

35% 33%

30%
27%
25%

20%

15% 13%
10%
10%
5%
5%
2%
0%
ANC MPC* DA MK Party EFF IFP Other

09/03/2024 4
*Pooling the votes of the DA, IFP, ASA, FF+, ACDP and others
The DA is the only party to increase its share since
Click to edit Master title style
last year

Thinking ahead to the next general election, which party will you vote for?
50%

45% 44%
41%
40% 39%
36%
35% 33%

30% 27%
Nov '22
25% 23% 23%
Oct '23
20% 17% Feb '24

15% 13%
11% 10%
10% 9%
7% 7%
5% 4% 3% 5% 4% 3%
5% 2% 2%
0%
0%
ANC MPC* DA MK Party** EFF IFP ActionSA Other Won't vote

* Pooling the votes of the DA, IFP, ASA, FF+, ACDP and others
09/03/2024 5
** MK Party was not tested in November 2022 and October 2023
In Gauteng, the MPC* is polling at 38% and the ANC
Click
at 34% to edit Master title style

Thinking ahead to the next general election, which party will you vote for?
40% 38%

35% 34%
32%

30%

25%

20%

15%
11%
10%
6%
5% 5% 5%
5%
2%

0%
MPC* ANC DA EFF MK Party ActionSA BOSA Other Won't vote

09/03/2024 6
*Pooling the votes of the DA, IFP, ASA, FF+, ACDP and others
In Gauteng, the DA has gained eight points since
Click
Octoberto edit
2023 andMaster
the EFF hastitle style
fallen by seven

Thinking ahead to the next general election, which party will you vote for?
40% 38%
37% 37%

35% 34% 34%

33%
32%

30%

25% 24%

Nov '22
20% 18% Oct '23
Feb '24
15%
11% 11%
10% 10% 10%
10% 9%
8%
6%
5%
5% 3%
2% 2%

0%
MPC* ANC DA EFF MK Party** ActionSA Other Won't vote

* Pooling the votes of the DA, IFP, ASA, FF+, ACDP and others
09/03/2024 ** MK Party was not tested in October 2023 7
In KZN, the MPC* is polling at 39% and MK Party at
Click
25% to edit Master title style

Thinking ahead to the next general election, which party will you vote for?
45%

40% 39%

35%

30%
25%
25%
20%
20% 19% 19%

15% 14%

10%

5%
2% 1%
0%
MPC* MK Party ANC DA IFP EFF Other Won't vote

09/03/2024 8
*Pooling the votes of the DA, IFP, ASA, FF+, ACDP and others
Between October 2023 and February 2024 in KZN the
Click to edit
ANC dropped Master
12 points title
and the style
IFP eight

Thinking ahead to the next general election, which party will you vote for?
0.5
46%
0.45

0.4 39%

0.35 34%
32%
0.3
25% 26% 27% Nov '22
0.25
Oct '23
20% 19% 19% 19%
0.2 Feb '24
15% 15% 14%
0.15 12%
0.1 7%
0.05 4% 5%
2% 2% 1%
0
MPC* MK Party** ANC DA IFP EFF Other Won't vote

* Pooling the votes of the DA, IFP, ASA, FF+, ACDP and others
09/03/2024 ** MK Party was not tested in November 2022 or October 9 2023
In the Western Cape, the DA is polling at 53% and the
Click
ANC at to
35%edit Master title style

Thinking ahead to the next general election, which party will you vote for?
60%
55%
53%

50%

40%
35%

30%

20%

10% 7%
5%

0%
MPC* DA ANC EFF Other

09/03/2024 10
*Pooling the votes of the DA, IFP, ASA, FF+, ACDP and others
 In the Western Cape, the ANC gained 13 points and the EFF
Click to edit Master title style
gained two since October 2023, while the DA lost three

Thinking ahead to the next general election, which party will you vote for?
70%

60% 58%
55% 56% 56%
53%
50%

40% Nov '22

35%
Oct '23
30%
25% Feb '24
22%
20%
13% 13%
10% 7% 6%
4% 5%
3% 2%
0%
0%
MPC* DA ANC EFF Other Won't Vote

09/03/2024 11
*Pooling the votes of the DA, IFP, ASA, FF+, ACDP and others
Governance
 32% indicate that the Western Cape, where 12.5% of the
Click to edit Master title style
population lives, is South Africa’s best governed province

Which province do you believe is best governed?

35%
32%

30%

25%
22%

20% 18%

15%

10% 9%
6%
5%
5% 4%
3%
1% 1%
0%
Western Cape Gauteng KZN Eastern Cape Limpopo Mpumalanga Free State North West Northern Cape Don't
know/Refused

09/03/2024 13
The Western Cape is the only province which more
Click
people to editis better
believe Master titlesince
governed style
last year

Which province do you believe is best governed?

35% Nov '22
32% Oct '23
30% 29% Feb '24
28%
25%
25%
22%
21%
20% 19%
18%
16%
15%
11%
10%
10% 9%
6% 6% 6% 6% 6%
5% 5%
5% 4%
3% 3% 3% 3%
2%
1% 1% 1%
0% 0%
0%
Western Cape Gauteng KZN Eastern Cape Limpopo Mpumalanga Free State North West Northern Cape Don't
know/Refused

09/03/2024 14
 One third believe the City of Cape Town, where 8.1% of the SA
Click to edit Master title style
population lives, is the country’s best governed metro

Which metro do you believe is best governed?

35% 33%

30%

25%

20%
20%

15%
12%

10% 9%
6% 6% 6%
5%
5% 3%

0%
Cape Town Johannesburg Nelson Mandela Bay Metro eThekwini Ekurhuleni Tshwane Mangaung Buffalo City Don't know/Refused

09/03/2024 15
 Cape Town’s standing as the best governed metro continues
Click to edit Master title style
to grow

Which metro do you believe is best governed?

35% 33% Nov '22
Oct '23
30% 29% 29%
Feb '24

25% 23%
21%
20%
20%

15%
12%
10% 10% 10% 10%
10% 9%
8%
7% 7% 7% 7% 7%
6% 6% 6% 6%
5%
5% 4%
3% 3%
2%

0%
Cape Town Johannesburg Nelson Mandela Bay Metro eThekwini Ekurhuleni Tshwane Mangaung Buffalo City Don't know/Refused

09/03/2024 16
 The DA’s reputation at governing has climbed to equal that of
Click to edit Master title style
the ANC

Which party do you believe is the most effective at governing?

35% 33% 33%

30%

25%

20%
16%
15%

10% 9%

5%
5%
2%
1% 1%
0%
ANC DA EFF IFP ActionSA FF+ Other Don't know/Refused

09/03/2024 17
 Both the DA and ANC have improved their standing as the
Click to edit Master title style
most effective parties at governing since last year

Which party do you believe is the most effective at governing?

40%
36% Nov '22
35% 33% 33% Oct '23
30% 30%
30% 29% Feb '24

25%
22%
20%
20%
16%
15%
11%
10% 9%
7%
5% 5%
5% 4%
2% 2% 2%
1% 1% 1% 1%
0% 0%
0%
ANC DA EFF IFP ActionSA FF+ Other Don't know/Refused

09/03/2024 18
Favourabilities
Favourabilities
The ANC (39%) and the DA (37%) are viewed the most
Click to edit Master title style
favourably

Strongly and somewhat favourable: Political parties

45%

40% 39%
37%
35%

30%

25% 24% 24%

20%
16%
15%
9%
10% 8%
6% 5% 4%
5%

0%
ANC DA MK Party EFF IFP FF+ ActionSA BOSA MPC RISE Mzansi

09/03/2024 20
 The EFF and MPC dropped five points in positive favourability
Click to edit Master title style
compared to last year, while the ANC gained three points

Strongly and somewhat favourable: Political parties

45%

40% 39% 39%

37%37%
36%
35%
30%
30% 29%

25% 24% 24% 24%

Nov '22
19% Oct '23
20% 18%
16% Feb '24
15%
12%
10%10% 9% 11% 10%
10% 8%
6% 5%
5% 4% 4% 4%

0%
ANC DA MK Party* EFF IFP FF+ ActionSA BOSA** MPC** RISE Mzansi**

*MK Party was not tested in October 2023

09/03/2024 **Parties not tested in November 2022 21
The EFF is viewed the most unfavourably amongst
Click to edit Master title style
those tested

Strongly and somewhat unfavourable: Political parties

60%
54%

50%
46%
43%
40%
40% 38%
33%
30%
30%

20%
20%
16% 16%

10%

0%
EFF IFP ANC FF+ MK Party DA ActionSA RISE Mzansi BOSA MPC

09/03/2024 22
The EFF, FF+ and ActionSA are viewed more
Click to edit
unfavourably thanMaster
last year title style

Strongly and somewhat unfavourable: Political parties

60%
54%

50% 48%
45% 46%
44% 44%43%
42% 41%
40%
40% 38% 38% 38%
36%
33% 33%
30% Nov '22
30%
25% Oct '23
23%
Feb '24
20% 20%
20%
16% 16%
14% 14%

10%

0%
EFF IFP ANC FF+ MK Party* DA ActionSA RISE Mzansi** BOSA** MPC**

*MK Party was not tested in October 2023

09/03/2024 **Parties not tested in November 2022 23
 The DA rises to score the highest net favourability (4%), with
Click to edit Master title style
the EFF (-30%), IFP (-30%) and FF+ (-31%) all scoring the lowest

Net favourability: Political parties

10%

5% 4%

0%

-5%
-4%
-10%
-11% -11%
-15% -13%
-16%
-20%

-25% -22%

-30%
-30% -30% -31%
-35%
DA ANC BOSA MPC MK Party RISE Mzansi ActionSA EFF IFP FF+

09/03/2024 24
 The DA’s net favourability has increased by 15 points since
Click to edit Master title style
November 2022, while the ANC has dropped by five points

Net favourability: Political parties

10%

5% 4%
1% 1%
ANC BOSA** MPC** MK Party* RISE Mzansi** ActionSA EFF IFP FF+
0%
DA
-5%
-4%

-10% -8% Nov '22

-10% -10% -10% Oct '23
-11% -11% -11% -11%
-15% -13% Feb '24
-14%
-16% -16%
-20%

-22%
-25% -23%
-24% -24%
-25%
-30% -28%
-30% -30%
-31%
-35%

*MK Party was not tested in October 2023

09/03/2024 **Parties not tested in November 2022 25
The ANC, EFF and DA score the highest in name
Click to edit
recognition, whileMaster titlethe
the MPC* scores style
lowest

Familiarity: Political parties

120%

99% 99% 97%

100%
90%
84%
80% 74%

58%
60%

40% 36% 36%

32%

20%

0%
ANC EFF DA IFP MK Party FF+ ActionSA RISE Mzansi BOSA MPC

*A coalition of opposition parties led by the

09/03/2024 DA, IFP and ActionSA 26
 Cyril Ramaphosa enjoys the highest positive favourability
Click to edit Master title style
rating of politicians tested, followed by Jacob Zuma

Strongly and somewhat favourable: Public figures

50%
45%
45%

40%

35%

30% 29%
25% 25%
25%
20% 19%
20%

15% 13%

10% 8%
5%
5%
1%
0%
Cyril Jacob Zuma Julius Malema Helen Zille Mmusi John Herman Pieter Velenkosi Songezo Zibi
Ramaphosa Maimane Steenhuisen Mashaba Groenewald Hlabisa

09/03/2024 27
 Julius Malema dropped six points in positive favourability
compared to last year, while Cyril Ramaphosa gained three
Click to edit Master title style
points

Strongly and somewhat favourable: Public figures

60%

50% 48%
45%
42%
40%

31%
29% Nov '22
30%
25% 25% 24%25% Oct '23
22% 22%21%
20% 19% Feb '24
20% 17%18%
14%14%13% 14%

10% 7% 8%
5% 6% 5% 4%
2% 1%
0%
Cyril Jacob Zuma* Julius Malema Helen Zille Mmusi John Herman Pieter Velenkosi Songezo Zibi
Ramaphosa Maimane Steenhuisen Mashaba Groenewald Hlabisa

*Jacob Zuma was not tested in

09/03/2024 November 2022 or October 2023 28
Jacob Zuma is viewed most unfavourably amongst
Click to tested,
politicians edit Master
followed bytitle
Julius style
Malema

Strongly and somewhat unfavourable: Public figures

70%

60%
60%
54%

50%
42%
39% 39%
40%
31%
30% 26%
24%

20% 17%
14%

10%

0%
Jacob Zuma Julius Malema Mmusi Cyril Helen Zille Herman Pieter John Velenkosi Songezo Zibi
Maimane Ramaphosa Mashaba Groenewald Steenhuisen Hlabisa

09/03/2024 29
 Julius Malema, Mmusi Maimane, Helen Zille, Herman Mashaba
and Pieter Groenewald are all viewed more unfavourably than
Click to edit Master title style
last year

Strongly and somewhat unfavourable: Public figures

70%

60%
60%
54%
50%
50% 48%

42% 40%39% 41%

39%
40% 37%
35% Nov '22
32% 31% 31%
30% 28% 27%26%26% Oct '23
25% 26%
22% Feb '24
19%20%
20% 16%17%
14%
12%12%
10%

0%
Jacob Zuma* Julius Malema Mmusi Cyril Helen Zille Herman Pieter John Velenkosi Songezo Zibi
Maimane Ramaphosa Mashaba Groenewald Steenhuisen Hlabisa

*Jacob Zuma was not tested in

09/03/2024 November 2022 or October 2023 30
 Cyril Ramaphosa scored the highest net favourability (6%)
just ahead of John Steenhuisen (-6%), with Jacob Zuma the
Click to edit Master title style
lowest (-31%)

Net favourability: Public figures

10%
6%
5%
Cyril Ramaphosa
0%
John Steenhuisen
-5% Velenkosi Hlabisa
-6% Helen Zille
-10%
Songezo Zibi
-12% Herman Mashaba
-15% -14% -14%
Pieter Groenewald
-20% -18% -18% Mmusi Maimane
-21% Julius Malema
-25%
Jacob Zuma
-30% -29%
-31%
-35%

09/03/2024 31
 John Steenhuisen’s net favourability has steadily increased
since 2022, while that of many, including Cyril Ramaphosa,
Click to edit Master title style
Mmusi Maimane and Julius Malema, has fallen

Net favourability: Public figures

20%
16%

10%
6%
2% John Velenkosi Herman Pieter Mmusi
Steenhuisen Hlabisa Helen Zille Songezo Zibi Mashaba Groenewald Maimane Julius Malema Jacob Zuma*
0%
Cyril
Ramaphosa Nov '22
-6% -7% -6%
-10% -8% -8% Oct '23
-10% -10% -10% -11%
-12% -12% Feb '24
-14% -14% -14% -13%
-17% -16% -17%
-20% -18% -18%
-19%
-21%
-25%
-30%
-29%
-31%

-40%

*Jacob Zuma was not tested in

09/03/2024 November 2022 or October 2023 32
Cyril Ramaphosa, Julius Malema and Jacob Zuma
Click
have thetomost
edit Master
recognised title style
names

Familiarity: Public figures

120%

99% 99% 99%

100%
92%
86%

80%
69%
61%
60%

40% 36%
26% 24%
20%

0%
Cyril Julius Malema Jacob Zuma Helen Zille Mmusi Herman John Velenkosi Pieter Songezo Zibi
Ramaphosa Maimane Mashaba Steenhuisen Hlabisa Groenewald

09/03/2024 33
Issues
Four in five respondents believe South Africa is
Click
headingto edit
in the Master
wrong directiontitle style

Are things in South Africa going in the right or wrong direction?

90%
80%
80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20% 17%

10%
3%
0%
Wrong Right Don't know/Refused

09/03/2024 35
Unemployment (28%) and corruption (27%) are cited
Click toAfrica’s
as South editbiggest
Master title style
problems

What do you think is the biggest problem facing South Africa right now?
30%
28%
27%

25%

20%
17%

15%
12%
11%
10%

5% 4%

1%
0%
Unemployment Corruption Load shedding Weak leadership Crime A failed political Poor policy
system

09/03/2024 36
 Weak leadership has overtaken crime as one of the country’s
Click to edit Master title style
top four problems, while concern about corruption rises

What do you think is the biggest problem facing South Africa right now?
35%
31%
30%
30%
28% 27%
25%
25% 24%

20% 19%
17% 17% Nov '22
15% Oct '23
12% Feb '24
11%
10% 11%
10% 9% 9%

5% 4% 4% 4%
2% 2%
1% 1% 1% 1%
0% 0% 0%
0%
Unemployment Corruption Load shedding Weak Crime A failed political Poor policy Access to land Don't
leadership system know/Refused

09/03/2024 37
 Over half of respondents believe the ANC government of the
Click to edit Master title style
last three decades is to blame for the country’s problems

Who or what is most responsible for this problem?

60%
53%

50%

40%

30%

20%

11%
8% 9%
10%
6% 6% 6%
1%
0%
ANC govt of last 3 Apartheid Constitution BEE elite Racists DA Other Don't
decades know/Refused

09/03/2024 38
The ANC government has consistently been held
Click to edit
responsible for theMaster title style
country’s problems

Who or what is most responsible for this problem?

60% 57%
53%
51%
50%

40%

30% Nov '22

Oct '23
Feb '24
20%
14%
12%
11%
9% 9% 9% 9%
10% 7% 8% 6% 7% 6% 6%
5% 5% 6%
3% 4%
1% 2% 1%
0%
ANC govt of last 3 Apartheid Constitution BEE elite Racists DA Other Don't
decades know/Refused

09/03/2024 39
Coalitions
Over three-quarters of respondents would be happy
Click
to see ato edit govern
coalition Master title
South Africastyle

Would you be happy to see a coalition of parties govern South Africa?

80% 76%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%
21%
20%

10%
3%
0%
Yes No Don’t know/Refused

09/03/2024 41
There has been consistent support for a coalition
Click to edit
government since Master title style
November 2022

Would you be happy to see a coalition of parties govern South Africa?

90%
79%
80% 76%
74%
70%

60%

50% Nov '22

Oct '23
40%
Feb '24
30%
23%
21%
19%
20%

10%
2% 3% 3%
0%
Yes No Don’t know/Refused

09/03/2024 42
The Multi Party Charter (MPC)* is favoured over
Click to edit Master title style
other options

Which coalition would you prefer to govern the country?

35%

30% 29%

25%
25% 24%
22%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%
Multi-Party Charter ANC-DA ANC-EFF Don't know/Refused

*A coalition of opposition parties led by the

09/03/2024 DA, IFP and ActionSA 43
Preference for an ANC-EFF coalition has dropped
Click to edit
seven points sinceMaster title style
October 2022

Which coalition would you prefer to govern the country?

35%
31% 31%
30% 29%
27%
25%
25% 24%
22%

20%
Oct '23
15% Feb '24
11%
10%

5%

0%
Multi-Party Charter ANC-DA ANC-EFF Don't know/Refused

09/03/2024 44
Over a quarter of South Africans are more likely to
Click
vote forto
theedit Master
opposition title
since the style
MPC’s launch

The launch of the Multi-Party Charter

50%
46%
45%

40%

35%

30%
26%
25% 23%

20%

15%

10%
5%
5%

0%
Does not change the way I will vote Makes me more likely to vote for an Makes me less likely to vote for an Don’t know/Refused
opposition party opposition party

09/03/2024 45
Foreign Policy
BRICS
Respondents overwhelmingly favour the West and
Click to edit countries
other democratic Masterover
title style
BRICS

South Africa’s economy will do best if it aligns itself with

50%

45% 43%

40%

35%

30%

25% 22%
20% 19%

15%
10%
10%
6%
5%

0%
Democratic countries and the Africa BRICS Does not align with any global Undecided/Refused
West power bloc

09/03/2024 47
The ANC’s stance on the Russia/Ukraine conflict is
Click toone
alienating edit Master
quarter title style
of voters

Does South Africa’s policy on the Russia/Ukraine conflict make you more or less likely
to vote for the ANC?
60%
52%
50%

40%

30%
24%

20% 17%

10% 7%

0%
No difference Less likely to vote ANC More likely to vote ANC Undecided/Refused

09/03/2024 48
23% of voters are less likely to vote for the ANC given
Click toonedit
its stance Master title
the Israel/Hamas style
conflict

Does South Africa’s policy on the Israel/Hamas conflict make you more or less likely to
vote for the ANC?
60%
53%
50%

40%

30%
23%
19%
20%

10%
5%

0%
No difference Less likely to vote ANC More likely to vote ANC Undecided/Refused

09/03/2024 49
The ANC’s Zimbabwe policy will cost it more votes
Click
than it to
gainsedit Master title style

Does South Africa’s policy on Zimbabwe make you more or less likely to vote for the
ANC?
60%
54%

50%

40%

30%
23%
20% 18%

10%
5%

0%
No difference Less likely to vote ANC More likely to vote ANC Undecided/Refused

09/03/2024 50
The ANC’s stance on Sudan is also not popular with
Click
voters to edit Master title style

Does South Africa’s policy on the Sudan conflict make you more or less likely to vote
for the ANC?
70%

60% 58%

50%

40%

30%

20%
20%
14%

10% 8%

0%
No difference Less likely to vote ANC More likely to vote ANC Undecided/Refused

09/03/2024 51
Domestic
BRICS Policy
South Africans favour small business as the route to
Click
wealth to edit Master title style
creation

The best way for the government to put more money in people’s pockets is by
45%

40% 39%

35%

30%
25%
25%
20%
20%

15%
12%
10%

5% 4%

0%
Making it easier to start small Reducing taxes Increasing social grants Decreasing cost of civil service Don't know/Refused
businesses

09/03/2024 53
Most South Africans believe social grants should be
Click to edit Master title style
increased

Social grants should

45%
42%
40%

35%

30% 29%
27%
25%

20%

15%

10%

5%
2%
0%
Be increased Continue at current level End after a period for those of working Don't know/Refused
age

09/03/2024 54
Social grant increases should be funded by cutting
Click
spendingtoonedit Master title style
civil servants

The best way for the government to increase social grants is by

60%

51%
50%

40%

30%

22%
20% 17%

10%
10%

0%
Spending less on civil servants Increasing taxes Borrowing more Don't know/Refused

09/03/2024 55
More South Africans favour cutting civil servant
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numbers edit Master
their title
salaries and style
perks

The best way for the government to decrease the cost of the civil service is by
50%
45%
45%

40%
35%
35%

30%

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15%

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5%

0%
Cutting civil servants by at least 10% Cutting civil service salaries/perks Don't know/Refused

09/03/2024 56