What would SA look like if we voted tomorrow?

Ok sure, it’s more of a ‘what if’ than a ‘this will be’, but it’s still interesting to see how our political parties would fare if we voted now instead of next year.

A new survey by Afrobarometer’s SA-based team, lead by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation and Plus 94 research, interviewed 2 400 adults and asked them a simple question: If the elections were held tomorrow, who would you vote for?

The survey, called the Afrobarometer Government performance and leadership trends in SA report – deep breath – found that Zuma’s approval rating has dropped by 28% from 64% back in 2011 to 36% this year.

“2015 has been a tumultuous year for South Africa’s democracy. A number of key government officials have been embroiled in corruption scandals, most notably the alleged mismanagement of state funds in the construction of President Jacob Zuma’s private residence in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal.”

So, how did they do?

• The ANC’s support nationally drops from 55% in 2011 to 48% if SA were to vote this year and not next.
• The DA’s support increases from 13% to 17% since 2011.
• The IFP climbs from 1% to 2%.
• The EFF has no previous Local Government Elections to go on, but they’re sitting at 9% should SA vote this year.

Now remember folks, these are local government elections and not the national elections, but no less important in gaining power nationally; especially in the two most contested metro’s, Nelson Mandela Bay and Jozi.

Cover photo: Getty Images