One year into South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU), a new survey by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) paints a stark picture of a nation grappling with economic hardship, social divisions, and cautious hope for reform. The 2025 South African Reconciliation Barometer (SARB), released on Wednesday, highlights persistent mistrust in political leadership alongside moderate support for government policies, reflecting a complex public mood as the country navigates its first year under multi-party coalition governance.
The Reconciliation Barometer, the country’s longest-running survey on public opinion regarding reconciliation, trust, and social cohesion, draws on 2,006 nationally representative interviews. It shows that only one in three South Africans has confidence in the GNU’s effectiveness, while distrust in political parties remains widespread, ranging from 50% to 54% for the four largest parties. Nearly 80% of respondents said they believe national leaders are untrustworthy and disconnected from the everyday realities of citizens.
Despite this lack of faith in politicians, the survey revealed that South Africans are more supportive of the GNU’s policies than of the leaders implementing them. Initiatives such as the National Health Insurance scheme received 61% approval, the National Dialogue 53%, and the Expropriation Act 46%. Analysts suggest this indicates that the public is open to government programmes aimed at economic and social reform, even while sceptical of the political figures behind them.
Economic hardship remains a pressing concern. More than half of respondents reported going without a cash income at times during the past year, while one in four frequently faced food insecurity. Poverty and inequality were identified as the greatest barriers to reconciliation and the areas showing the least progress since 1994. Experts warn that addressing economic inclusion and household wellbeing will be a critical test for the GNU as it seeks to consolidate public confidence.
Social cohesion indicators present a nuanced picture. National identity remains strong, yet interpersonal trust, particularly between different racial and language groups, remains low. On socio-political issues, South Africans were divided: 58% support additional resources for investigating unsolved apartheid-era crimes, over half think Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) has gone far enough, and 47% disapprove of Afrikaner asylum claims in the United States. Awareness of international issues is uneven, with half of the respondents unaware of the Israel–Palestine conflict.
The Barometer also highlights challenges for local governance, with confidence in municipalities extremely low at 26%. This, coupled with limited optimism about future improvements, signals potential difficulties ahead for the 2026/27 local government elections. Many South Africans remain unconvinced that their lives have improved significantly since the end of apartheid, underscoring the need for visible and effective policy delivery.
IJR researchers stress that while the public mood is fragile, opportunities remain for the GNU to rebuild trust and demonstrate accountability. Effective management of economic and social programmes, as well as transparent engagement with communities, could strengthen both local and national governance.
“The Reconciliation Barometer underscores that South Africa’s democratic institutions are resilient, yet the social fabric is under strain,” the IJR said in a statement. “The GNU has a narrow window to demonstrate that government policies can deliver tangible benefits, particularly for those most affected by poverty and inequality.”
