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Articles by Cherrel Africa
Identity-based explanations of voting in Western Cape
Reading Time: 6 minutes The Democratic Alliance (DA) retained its outright majority in the Western Cape in the 2024 elections and will remain the ruling party in the provincial legislature while the support base of the African National Congress (ANC) in the province dropped even further than in 2019. One of the big stories in the Western Cape is the surge in support for the Patriotic Alliance (PA) which is now the third-largest party in the province in terms of electoral support received.
Extraordinary leadership required in period after election outcome
Reading Time: 5 minutes As has been widely noted, South Africa is now facing a situation where there could be a need for coalition arrangements at national and/or provincial level. Those of us that study elections and voting behaviour are being asked to predict election outcomes and also to predict post-election alliances. Even with numerous pre-election surveys, it is difficult to predict the outcome. There are many possible scenarios – some more complex than others.
Opinion: Extraordinary leadership required after election outcome
Reading Time: 5 minutes By Cherrel Africa As has been widely noted, South Africa is now facing a situation where there could be a need for coalition arrangements at national and/or provincial level. Those of us who study elections and voting behaviour are being asked to predict election outcomes and also to predict post-election alliances. Even with numerous pre-election surveys, it is difficult to predict the outcome. There are many possible scenarios – some more complex than others.
South Africa: Collective Trauma - in Extraordinary Situations, Our Decisions and Plans Should Be Pragmatic and Kind
Given the dire situation we find ourselves in, we should acknowledge the trauma and gravity of our situation and make explicit the need for kindness, and compassion towards the vulnerable. In May 2017, my sister received a devastating diagnosis. She had breast cancer. We later learned that it was stage 4 cancer and it was metastatic - it had spread to the bones in her back. It was a struggle for her to comprehend and make sense of the diagnosis, and what it meant for her.
OPINIONISTA: Collective trauma: In extraordinary situations, our decisions and plans should be pragmatic and kind
Given the dire situation we find ourselves in, we should acknowledge the trauma and gravity of our situation and make explicit the need for kindness, and compassion towards the vulnerable. In May 2017, my sister received a devastating diagnosis. She had breast cancer. We later learned that it was stage 4 cancer and it was metastatic – it had spread to the bones in her back. It was a struggle for her to comprehend and make sense of the diagnosis, and what it meant for her.
Why is UWC like David, fighting a thousand Goliaths
As a staff member of the University of the Western Cape (UWC), I feel disheartened by the pummelling the university often endures. Please allow me to explain. Also please note that while I am currently the acting spokesperson of the university, I write this letter in my personal capacity. In June 2014 I wrote to this media house responding to an article titled “Rector transformed the former ‘bush college’”. At the time I received a substantive apology from the editor.
‘Relatively good’ turnout trend cannot be considered inevitable
REGULAR free and fair elections are one of the cornerstones of democracy. And apart from the fact that higher voter participation in elections is important for a vibrant democracy, it also has a direct effect on the election results. SA has seen a decline in voter participation since the first democratic elections in 1994. In the founding elections of 1994 the turnout was estimated at 86%. This dropped to 71.8% in 1999 and levelled off at just under 60% in subsequent elections.
Undecided voters could swing the outcome of local elections
South Africa has seen a decline in voter participation since the first democratic elections in 1994. In the founding elections of 1994 turnout was estimated at 86%. This dropped to 71.8% in 1999 and levelled off at just under 60% in subsequent elections. Some may see the decline as a normal trend.
South Africa's Undecided Voters Could Swing the Outcome of Local Elections
analysis By Cherrel Jane Africa, University of the Western CapeRegular free and fair elections is one of the cornerstones of democracy. And apart from the fact that higher voter participation in elections is important for a vibrant democracy, it also has a direct impact on the election results. South Africa has seen a decline in voter participation since the first democratic elections in 1994. In the founding elections of 1994 turnout was estimated at 86%.
SA’s undecided voters could swing the outcome of local elections
South Africa has seen a decline in voter participation since the first democratic elections in 1994. In the founding elections of 1994 turnout was estimated at 86%. This dropped to 71.8% in 1999 and levelled off at just under 60% in subsequent elections. Some may see the decline as a normal trend.
The most powerful person in SA right now: The undecided voter
Regular free and fair elections is one of the cornerstones of democracy. And apart from the fact that higher voter participation in elections is important for a vibrant democracy, it also has a direct impact on the election results. South Africa has seen a decline in voter participation since the first democratic elections in 1994. In the founding elections of 1994 turnout was estimated at 86%. This dropped to 71.8% in 1999 and levelled off at just under 60% in subsequent elections.
South Africa's undecided voters could swing the outcome of local elections
Regular free and fair elections is one of the cornerstones of democracy. And apart from the fact that higher voter participation in elections is important for a vibrant democracy, it also has a direct impact on the election results. South Africa has seen a decline in voter participation since the first democratic elections in 1994. In the founding elections of 1994 turnout was estimated at 86%. This dropped to 71.8% in 1999 and levelled off at just under 60% in subsequent elections.
Has South Africa Lost Its Way?
South Africa is in the middle of a period of political and economic unrest unlike anything the country has experienced since the end of apartheid in 1994. In March 2015, students at the University of Cape Town launched the #Rhodesmustfall campaign, aimed at bringing down a statue of the British imperialist Cecil Rhodes. Since then, students have regularly stormed the nation’s universities, labor unions have held strikes, and populist social movements have taken to the streets.
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