The State of the People docx

The state of the people:

Citizens, civil society and governance

in South Africa, 1994-2000

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The state of the people:

Citizens, civil society and governance in

South Africa, 1994-2000

Editors:

Bert Klandermans

Marlene Roefs

Johan Olivier

Human Sciences Research Council

Pretoria

2001

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ã Human Sciences Research Council, 2001

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or

transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,

including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval

system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN 0-7969-1985-2

The state of the people:

Citizens, civil society and governance in South Africa, 1994 -2000

Editors: Bert Klandermans

Marlene Roefs

Johan Olivier

Design and layout: Annemarie Booyens

Cover design: Nu Dog Design

Published in South Africa by:

Human Sciences Research Council

134 Pretorius Street

Pretoria, South Africa

0001

http://www.hsrc.ac.za

Printed in South Africa by:

Shereno Printers

P.O. Box 268

Benoni, South Africa

1500

Tel.: (011) 894-4150

Fax: (011) 894-4153

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v

Contents

Page

List of Tables ....................................................................................... vi

List of Figures....................................................................................... ix

Preface and Acknowledgements............................................................ xii

About the Authors................................................................................. xv

About this Book .................................................................................. xvii

Chapter 1 South African politics and collective action,

1994-2000........................................................................1

Tom Lodge

Chapter 2 The distribution of wealth ............................................ 27

Chapter 3 Grievances and relative deprivation ............................ 47

Chapter 4 The formation of collective identity ............................. 91

Chapter 5 Involvement in civil society ........................................ 111

Chapter 6 The evaluation of government ................................... 137

With Hennie Kotze

Chapter 7 Political participation................................................. 185

Chapter 8 The state of the people................................................ 233

References......................................................................................... 245

Appendix—Methods......................................................................... 249

Index ................................................................................................. 253

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vi

List of Tables

Page

2.1: Gender and unemployment (%) ............................................ 33

2.2: Parameters in the distribution of wealth: Unemployment .... 42

2.3: Parameters in the distribution of wealth: Income ................. 43

2.4: Parameters in the distribution of wealth: Living standard... 43

3.1: Dissatisfaction and objective conditions: R-squares ............. 58

3.2: Dissatisfaction and social comparison ................................... 69

3.3: Comparison to others (%) ..................................................... 72

3.4: Group identification and group comparison (%).................. 75

3.5: Grievances and types of comparison (%) .............................. 79

3.6: Grievances and types of comparison by race(%) .................. 80

3.7: Trust in government and social comparison ......................... 85

4.1: National identity (%) ........................................................... 102

4.2: National identity and subgroup identity (%) ...................... 105

4.3: Dual identity and politics ..................................................... 107

5.1 Active member in grassroots organisations (%) ................. 116

5.2 The role of civil society 1995-2000:

Pearson’s correlations.......................................................... 126

5.3: The role of civil society—old and new:

Pearson’s correlations.......................................................... 129

5.4: The transformation of discontent into collective action:

Pearson’s correlations of dissatisfaction with action

preparedness and participation by involvement in civil

society organisations (1995-2000) ........................................ 131

6.1: Trust in national government (%) ....................................... 139

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List of Tables

vii

6.2: Attitudes toward national government (%) ........................ 142

6.3: Dimensions of approval and trust:

Standardised regression coefficients.................................... 146

6.4: Determinants of trust and approval in national

government: Standardised beta’s ........................................ 149

6.5: Grievances, relative deprivation and trust:

Standardised beta’s.............................................................. 153

6.6: Evaluation of provincial and local government (%) ........... 166

6.7: Determinants of trust and approval in provincial

and local government: Standardised beta’s ........................ 170

7.1: Determinants of political interest: R2

values ....................... 190

7.2: Political interest and objective characteristics:

Standardised beta’s.............................................................. 192

7.3: Identity patterns and political interest ................................ 195

7.4: Closeness to a political party in 1994 (%) ........................... 198

7.5: Voting intention (%) ............................................................ 200

7.6: No intention to vote (%)....................................................... 204

7.7: Correlates of party preference among Blacks in

KwaZulu-Natal..................................................................... 207

7.8: Correlates of party preference among coloured

South Africans...................................................................... 209

7.9: Correlates of party preference among Asian

South Africans...................................................................... 210

7.10: Correlates of party preference among white

South Africans...................................................................... 211

7.11: Taking part in election campaigns (%) ............................... 214

7.12: Correlates of campaign activities......................................... 215

7.13: Participation in peaceful protests (%) ................................. 216

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The state of the people

viii

7.14: Issues people protested for in the past year ......................... 217

7.15: Correlates of protest participation ...................................... 219

7.16: Issues people may protest for in the future (%) .................. 223

7.17: Correlates of the preparedness to take part in

peaceful action...................................................................... 224

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ix

List of Figures

Page

2.1: Highest level of education ...................................................... 28

2.2: Unemployment and race (%)................................................. 29

2.3: Gross household income......................................................... 30

2.4: Living standard...................................................................... 31

2.5a: Gross household income......................................................... 32

2.5b: Highest level of education ...................................................... 32

2.5c: Living standard...................................................................... 33

2.6: Age and unemployment ......................................................... 35

2.7: Unemployment by age and education (1994-2000)................ 36

2.8a: Gross household income......................................................... 37

2.8b: Living standard...................................................................... 37

2.9a: Highest education ................................................................... 38

2.9b: Gross household income......................................................... 38

2.9c: Living standard...................................................................... 39

2.10a: Blacks (Income)...................................................................... 40

2.10b: Coloured (Income) .................................................................40

2.10c: Asians (Income)...................................................................... 41

2.10d: Whites (Income) ..................................................................... 41

3.1a: Dissatisfaction with conditions in the neighbourhood........... 48

3.1b: Dissatisfaction with safety in the neighbourhood .................. 49

3.1c: Dissatisfaction with work ....................................................... 49

3.1d: Dissatisfaction with educational opportunities...................... 50

3.1e: Dissatisfaction with standard of living .................................. 50

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The state of the people

x

3.1f: Dissatisfaction with health care ............................................. 51

3.1g: Dissatisfaction with human rights ......................................... 51

3.2a: Dissatisfaction with personal situation .................................. 54

3.2b: Dissatisfaction with group situation ...................................... 55

3.2c: Dissatisfaction with people in South Africa ........................... 55

3.3a: Personal situation compared to others .................................. 62

3.3b: Personal situation compared to past...................................... 62

3.3c: Expectations for personal future ........................................... 63

3.3d: Situation of the group compared to other groups ................. 63

3.3e: Situation of the group compared to the past ......................... 64

3.3f: Future expectations of the group ........................................... 64

3.3g: Situation of South Africans compared to past....................... 65

3.3h: Future expectations of South Africans .................................. 65

4.1: Patterns of identification ........................................................ 94

4.2a: Patterns of identification, Blacks (%).................................... 96

4.2b: Patterns of identification, Coloureds (%).............................. 97

4.2c: Patterns of identification, Asians (%).................................... 97

4.2d: Patterns of identification, Whites (%) ................................... 98

4.3: Strong national identity (%) ................................................ 103

4.4: National identity and subgroup identity (%) ...................... 106

5.1a Participation in grassroots organisations, including

church organisations............................................................ 114

5.1b. Participation in grassroots organisations, excluding

church organisations............................................................ 114

6.1: Trust in government ............................................................ 140

6.2: Influence on government ..................................................... 143

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List of Figures

xi

6.3: Government’s performance ................................................. 144

6.4: Trust in government by ethno-linguistic group................... 150

6.5a: Trust in government and expectations for own future ........ 154

6.5b: Trust in government and expectations for

groups’ future....................................................................... 156

6.6: Trust in government by party preference ........................... 159

6.7: Trust in government of supporters and non-supporters

of the ANC by race ............................................................... 160

6.8: Trust in provincial government of supporters and

non-supporters of the ANC by province.............................. 175

7.1a: Reads about politics in newspapers ..................................... 186

7.1b: Watches politics on television .............................................. 186

7.1c: Listens to politics on radio ................................................... 187

7.1d: Discusses politics with friends.............................................. 187

7.2: Interest in politics................................................................. 189

7.3a: Political interest: Living standard (medium) ...................... 193

7.3b: Political interest: Living standard (high) ............................ 194

7.4: Action preparedness............................................................. 220

7.5a: Peaceful protest .................................................................... 221

7.5b: Forceful protest .................................................................... 221

7.5c: Violent protest...................................................................... 222

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xii

Preface and Acknowledgements

The transition to democracy in South Africa that started in 1994 presented

South Africans with a number of opportunities and challenges. The

founding election of April 1994 signalled the end of apartheid and the

beginning of an era in which all South Africans could take their place as

full members of society.

The period 1994 to 1999 saw the implementation of fundamental

social and political change in South Africa. Social science literature

suggests that such fundamental change increases the probability of civil

conflict and strife, as some sectors of the population expect signifi cant

improvements in their position following the removal of economic and

political barriers that previously inhibited their upward mobility. Other

sectors are concerned about a possible decrease in their living standards as

a result of the erosion of their privileged position. Still others experience

increased uncertainty, which in itself is associated with significant social

change.

Experience has shown that social movements not only develop during

periods of fundamental social change but also that social movements can

significantly impact on the process of change. Furthermore, social

movements adapt to changes in the environment. Insight in the factors that

affect the formation and transformation of social movements is not only of

fundamental significance for the study of social movements but also

important for policy making.

The scale of transition in South Africa provided a unique opportunity

to investigate processes of transition. With apartheid no longer in place as

the system to blame for every grievance, other cleavages may have

developed in the society and become grounds for mobilisation. Ethnicity,

religion, language and gender may have crystallised into new collective

identities of political significance. Much, it was argued, would depend on

the development of a political climate in South Africa that would provide

citizens with the opportunity to participate in political decision making, in

other words in the development of civil society.

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Preface and Acknowledgements

xiii

Given the fundamental social science issues that South Africa’s

transition raised, it was decided to launch a longitudinal and multi -

disciplinary study to register the changes in political opinion, attitude and

behaviour of South Africans during the period 1994 to 2000. The research

project entitled “Social Movements in South Africa” was aimed at

answering the following key questions:

x What new cleavages developed in the course of transition in South

Africa and what new grievances and collective identities resulted from

this?

x To what extent and influenced by which factors did those grievances

initiate political protest? Providing answers to these questions The

State of the people reports on how South Africans evaluate their own

situation and the new state.

In this valuable book, the authors ask a pertinent questio n. Did the

transition to democracy improve the state of the people? We believe so.

More people are satisfied, more people trust government, and more people

identify with the nation than before. And although fewer people take part

in electoral politics, involvement in civil society and peaceful contentious

politics have increased. This is not to say that there is nothing to worry

about. On the contrary. Inequality in South Africa remains enormous.

Unemployment, especially among the younger generation, conti nues to be

a threat to the stability of society, and so does crime. The authors argue

that there is a need for more equal distribution of wealth and for a

sustainable programme to improve the quality of all South Africans.

One of the key objectives of the study was to provide educational

opportunities for young researchers in South Africa and the Netherlands.

The project was particularly successful in this. Between 1994 and 2001

more than 50 South African and Dutch students participated in the study,

many of whom were able to complete advanced degrees in sociology,

political science and social psychology.

The research team consisted of the following individuals: Ms Shireen

Hassim (Department of Political Science, University of the

Witwatersrand), Prof. Tom Lodge (Department of Political Science,

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The state of the people

xiv

University of the Witwatersrand), Prof. Bert Klandermans (Department of

Social Psychology and Kurt Lewin Institute, Free University, Amsterdam),

Prof. Hennie Kotzé (Department of Political Science, University of

Stellenbosch), Ms Monique Marks (Department of Sociology, University

of Natal), Mr Sipho Maseko (Department of Political Science, University

of the Western Cape), Dr Johan Olivier (formerly with the Group:

Democracy and Governance, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)),

Dr Ihron Rensburg (National Department of Education), Drs Marlene

Roefs (Free University and HSRC) and Prof. Ari Sitas (Department of

Sociology, University of Natal).

The Free University in Amsterdam, the HSRC, the South Africa -

Netherlands Programme on Alternatives in Development (SANPAD) and

the Department of Political Science at the University of the Witwatersrand

are gratefully acknowledged for their financial support to the project.

The HSRC would like to express its sincere appreciation t o the project

team, the funders and all South Africans who participated in the project. It

is hoped that this publication will make a measurable contribution to

creating stability in our young democracy.

Special appreciation is due to all contributors to this book for their

thought-provoking and insightful chapters. Special thanks to Ina Stahmer,

Martie Boesenberg, and Annemarie Booyens for their sterling editorial and

technical assistance, and Adelina Capasso for her superb administrative

support in finalising of this book.

Dr Meshack M. Khosa

Executive Director

Democracy and Governance

Human Sciences Research Council

July 2001

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xv

About the Authors

Bert Klandermans is professor in applied social psychology at the Free

University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The emphasis in his work is on

the social psychological consequences of social, economic and political

change. He has published extensively on the social psychology of

participation in social movements and labour unions. He is the editor of

Social movements, Protest, and contention, a book series published by the

University of Minnesota Press. His The social psychology of protest

appeared with Blackwell in 1997.

Hennie Kotzé is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the

University of Stellenbosch, where he teaches research methodology,

public policy making and political risk analysis. He is presently engaged in

research on the process of democratic consolidation in South Africa, elite

perceptions and the role of parliaments in Southern Africa. He has

authored and co-authored a number of books and has published

extensively on comparative politics.

Tom Lodge is professor in political studies at the University of the

Witwatersrand, where he has worked since 1978. He has published four

books about South African politics, the most recent being a study of the

1999 general election. At present he is working on a book about the 1960

Sharpeville massacre.

Johan Olivier was project leader and chief research specialist at the

Human Sciences Research C ouncil during the period 1994-2000. His

research interests are social movements and collective action,

democratisation, social stability and research methodology. He holds a

Ph.D. from Cornell University in the United States. He is currently an

independent researcher/management consultant, in which capacity he

assists the National Treasury in South Africa with the implementation of

development and transformation projects of the government.

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