Abstract

SOOLIMAN, Quraysha Ismail. Can South Africans celebrate 20 years of democracy? South Africa’s election and the resultant impact on the country’s democratic future and international stance. Relações Internacionais [online]. 2014, n.44, pp.61-73. ISSN 1645-9199.

The May 2014 national elections in South Africa delivered another ‘victory’ to the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Considering South Africa’s «unfinished liberation», the compromised negotiation at CODESA which is now raising the ire of many African activists and intellectuals, and the growing tension over the ANC’s disrespect for voters through its continued practise of cadre deployments; the elections when analysed from a voter apathy perspetive indicates a shift in the political landscape. For many young South Africans, the question that is now being asked is «What is this ‘democracy’ that South Africa is supposed to have achieved?» considering that the only real benefit that has accrued to the majority of South Africans post-1994 is political freedom.

Keywords : South Africa; Emerging Powers; Democracy; Elections 2014.

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