As part of the HSRC’s community research aimed at providing critical reflections on three decades of democratic rule in the country, four studies were conducted in the Eastern Cape. These case studies provide insight into the quality of democracy through the perspectives of citizens living in the province’s largest metropolitan city, a notable small inland city, and two rural communities. In this article, Kombi Sausi, Joleen Steyn Kotze, Ben Roberts and Emmanuel Fundisi outline some key narrative themes emerging from the research undertaken in Gqeberha, Makhanda, Mxekazi and Cwebe.
The Eastern Cape is known as the heartland of the ANC. It is the birthplace of many iconic liberation leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko, Oliver Tambo and Albertina Sisulu. It is the second-largest province in South Africa by land area and held the hope of freedom, opportunity and prosperity as South Africans cast their first votes in the historic 1994 elections. Thirty years later, however, disillusionment, hopelessness, and disappointment dominate the political narratives of the people of the Eastern Cape. A province once regarded as the heartbeat of the liberation struggle is now characterised by limited opportunities and poor governance. The 1994 promise of a better life remains unfulfilled for the communities of Gqeberha, Makhanda and the rural villages of Mxekazi and Cwebe.
Motherwell township, located north of Gqeberha. Photo: HSRC
Gqeberha: Exploring the deferred “Dream of ‘94”
Nelson Mandela Bay captured the national imagination during the 2016 local government elections as the ANC’s electoral power declined further relative to the 2011 elections. Once symbolic of the hope of the “Dream of ’94”, this metro’s first transitional council in 1995, under Nceba Faku, represented a reconciled South Africa. By 2016, however, this dream appeared to fade – a “dream deferred”. What caused this? A key reason is the government’s failure to deliver on the democratic promise of 1994.
Fast forward to 2024, and similar political narratives of disappointment, disillusionment, and change characterise the democratic experiences of Gqeberha’s citizens. As South Africans celebrated 30 years of democracy, and building on our 2016 work exploring the Dream of ‘94, HSRC researchers worked with the Department of Development Studies at Nelson Mandela University to conduct seven focus groups across various township and urban communities in the city in March 2024. Once home to vibrant political leadership and a rich liberation history, Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa’s sixth-largest metro, today grapples with severe political instability and weak governance. Serious deficits in accountability, budget underperformance, maladministration, patronage and inadequate service delivery mean that many residents barely feel the government’s presence.
High levels of unemployment, rampant crime (notably widespread drug use and violence), and failing infrastructure were key themes as participants spoke about their experiences and the elusive dream of freedom and a better life. These themes were the basis on which not just the ANC but political parties as a whole were criticised. For participants, political parties did not prioritise the best interests of the citizens. This sentiment was evident in electoral dynamics. In 2000, when South Africans voted in the first local government elections, 62% of Gqeberha residents turned out to vote. In 2021, only around 45% cast their ballots.
Dominant themes in the 2024 focus groups were the lived realities of exclusion (social, political and economic), marginalisation, and continued oppression in the context of poverty, unemployment, deprivation, ineffective governance and lack of accountability. Respondents highlighted that political parties are not interested in their plight and, more importantly, are not accountable to them – the parties engage with them only during election periods but remain absent in between.
The ‘Dream of ’94’ encapsulated narratives of hope and rebirth, particularly for older participants who recalled apartheid and the optimism of the transition to democracy. Yet, for younger citizens, who have known only democratic rule, the persistent lack of tangible improvements has fostered disillusionment. Voter apathy, a sign of the declining faith in electoral processes, further underscores the growing disconnect between the electorate and those in power.
Participants argued that political representatives must be held accountable by voting them out when they fail to deliver on promises. They noted that they had the power to exercise their constitutional right to vote and demand accountability from their representatives.
Makhanda East: Life on the periphery of a university town
Makhanda, formerly Grahamstown, is a small city located 125 km northeast of Gqeberha and is known as the home of Rhodes University. The communities of the former township areas of Rhini in Makhanda East have experienced significant social, economic and political changes since the transition to democracy in 1994. These changes have undoubtedly influenced the quality of life within the community in various ways. Seven focus group discussions were conducted jointly with the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) at Rhodes University in March 2024.
Residents in both formal and informal housing areas highlighted persistent socioeconomic challenges, including unemployment and poverty, as well as inadequate access to housing, sanitation and basic services. These struggles were particularly acute in informal settlements where poor infrastructure worsened daily hardships. Although crime was not seen as an urgent challenge in Rhini, drug abuse was a widespread concern, with participants pointing to its negative effects on community safety and youth development.
Frustration with governance and leadership emerged as another dominant theme. Residents critiqued elected officials for corruption, nepotism and neglect, expressing disillusionment with the current political system. Many perceived government actions, such as the renaming of Grahamstown to Makhanda in 2018, as merely symbolic and disconnected from tangible benefits. While some welcomed the name change as a means of reclaiming historical identity, most participants viewed it as irrelevant to their daily struggles. Across all groups, participants emphasised the need for ethical leadership, greater transparency and stronger community engagement in governance.
Interviews conducted with residents of Motherwell township, located north of Gqeberha. Photo: HSRC
Despite these challenges, a strong sense of resilience and hope remained. Residents expressed aspirations for improved governance, better service delivery, and increased opportunities for education and employment. Many participants emphasised the importance of grassroots mobilisation and community-driven initiatives to address local issues. Younger participants focused on contemporary concerns like unemployment and drug abuse, while older participants contextualised current struggles within the legacy of apartheid, particularly land dispossession. Across generations, shared frustrations regarding unfulfilled democratic promises persisted, but these critiques were framed differently.
Policy recommendations include addressing infrastructure gaps in informal areas, particularly in housing, sanitation and roads, coupled with more visible and transparent government engagement. Expanding education and vocational training programmes for youth could tackle unemployment and social issues. Community-driven governance and stronger accountability mechanisms are essential, along with comprehensive crime prevention strategies combining law enforcement with grassroots initiatives. Finally, restorative land reform efforts must meaningfully engage communities to address historical injustices.
Overall, the discussions reflected a community grappling with systemic challenges but maintaining aspirations for a better future. By prioritising equity, accountability and tangible development, there is potential to address these concerns and fulfil the democratic ideals envisioned three decades ago.
Mxekazi and Cwebe: Reflecting on public–private service delivery arrangements
Three decades after South Africa’s democratic transition, the villages of Cwebe and Mxekazi continue to face significant barriers to accessing basic water services. This Democracy@30 study in the province revisited implementation sites associated with the HSRC’s Accelerated Sustainable Water Service Delivery project in OR Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities, which was undertaken in the late 2000s. The 2024 study revealed how geographic isolation, governance deficits and socioeconomic challenges have perpetuated water insecurity, with particularly severe impacts on women, children and the elderly.
Mxekazi and Cwebe are remote rural villages predominantly populated by women, children and older men, as younger adults have migrated in search of employment away from the former Transkei homeland in the Eastern Cape Province. Situated approximately 40 km from Mount Frere and 150 km from Mthatha, in mountainous and rugged terrain, these villages are accessible only by gravel roads.
The 2024 study found that the solar-powered water purification and reticulation systems installed between 2008 and 2011 by the HSRC and CSIR, with funding from the European Union, had completely broken down, with instances of vandalism leaving the system in disrepair. The absence of a routine maintenance framework meant no ongoing support existed to repair or sustain the systems, leading to failure just a few years post-installation. Furthermore, barriers to water service delivery extend far beyond infrastructural limitations and include:
1. Geographic marginalisation: The villages exemplify how spatial segregation perpetuates developmental disparities. The mountainous terrain and poor road infrastructure create logistical challenges for service provision.
2. Governance capacity constraints: Municipal incapacities, including chronic issues such as skills shortages, poor planning and frequent staff turnover, undermine sustainable infrastructure development.
3. Socioeconomic dynamics: High unemployment, gender imbalances and the persistent outmigration of working-age adults create complex social ecosystems that complicate community-based infrastructure maintenance.
4. Technological adoption barriers: The study’s examination of solar-powered water systems provides insight into the sociological complexities of introducing new technologies. Community vandalism and a lack of ownership emerge as critical challenges beyond mere technical implementation.
Addressing the issues identified in the study requires a strategic development planning approach that is participatory, inclusive and integrated. One key recommendation is the implementation of comprehensive professionalisation programmes for local government officials. Additionally, efforts must focus on enhancing the technical and managerial skills necessary for effective water service delivery. Equally important is the establishment of dedicated technical support units focused solely on rural water infrastructure.
As South Africa marks 30 years of democracy, addressing rural water access remains crucial for achieving equitable development. Success requires a multi-stakeholder approach that combines improved municipal governance, community empowerment and sustainable infrastructure development.
Conclusion
The political landscape of Gqeberha, Makhanda, Mxekazi and Cwebe reflects a broader complex narrative of progress and disillusionment with the promise of freedom and democracy in 1994. While the Dream of ‘94 symbolised hope for a new, inclusive and prosperous South Africa, its realisation has been stunted by poor governance, a lack of accountability, economic exclusion and service delivery failures. The struggles of residents, especially in marginalised communities, highlight the gap between political promises and the lived realities of many South Africans today.
The future of the four localities examined in this provincial study will depend on a fundamental rethinking of governance, emphasising accountability, transparency and responsiveness. For citizens, the path to reclaiming the Dream of ‘94 lies in holding their elected officials accountable and considering alternative forms of political engagement, including more active participation in local elections. The desire for a better life and a growing awareness of the power in their hands could prompt the people of the Eastern Cape to redefine the future of their local government and governance.
Research contacts:
Dr Kombi Sausi (research specialist), Prof. Joleen Steyn Kotze, (chief research specialist) and Dr Ben Roberts (research director) in the HSRC’s Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) research division. Dr Emmanuel Fundisi is a geospatial specialist in the HSRC’s eResearch Knowledge Unit.
