Comparative analysis of selected political party manifestos in South Africa

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of selected political party manifestos in South Africa, examining both convergences and differences in their approaches to service delivery. With a focus on understanding the underlying principles and priorities outlined in these manifestos, the study aims to shed light on the potential implications for governance and public service effectiveness. Drawing upon a comprehensive review of political party manifestos and policy documents, the analysis identifies common themes such as access to basic services, infrastructure development, and socio-economic empowerment. However, significant variations emerge in terms of the strategies proposed to address these challenges, reflecting diverse ideological orientations and policy priorities among political parties. By employing a qualitative content analysis approach, the study highlights the nuanced differences in the proposed policy frameworks and implementation mechanisms, as well as the underlying assumptions and values embedded within each manifesto. Furthermore, the analysis explores the potential implications of these variations for public administration practices, governance structures, and service delivery outcomes. Through this comparative lens, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities and dynamics shaping public administration in South Africa's multi-party democracy. Moreover, it offers insights into the challenges and opportunities for enhancing service delivery effectiveness, fostering accountability, and promoting inclusive development. Ultimately, the findings underscore the importance of informed policy debates and evidence-based decision-making in addressing the diverse needs and aspirations of South Africa's citizens, while also emphasizing the critical role of public administration in translating political commitments into tangible outcomes on the ground.

Authors & affiliations

France Khutso Lavhelani Kgobe
Affiliation not supplied

Magatane Tshwarelo Mashilo
Affiliation not supplied

Mohale Enerst Selolo
Affiliation not supplied

Dilo Justin Ramoshaba
Affiliation not supplied

Mathibedi Frank Kgarose
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

African National Congress. (1994). The 1994 African National Congress: National Election Manifesto.

African National Congress. (1999). The 1999 African National Congress: National Election Manifesto.

African National Congress. (2004). The 2004 African National Congress: National Election Manifesto.

African National Congress. (2009). The 2009 African National Congress: National Election Manifesto.

African National Congress. (2014). The 2014 African National Congress: National Election Manifesto.

African National Congress. (2019). The 2019 African National Congress: National Election Manifesto.

African National Congress. (2024). The 2024 African National Congress: National Election Manifesto.

DOI: 10.1007/s11205-013-0377-9

DOI: 10.1093/cjres/rsq015

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-33419-6_7

Auditor-General South Africa. (n.d.). Audit outcomes. Retrieved April 12, 2024, from https://www.salga.org.za/documents

DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2009.09.003

DOI: 10.1037/13620-004

Calvert, M. (2021). Populism in South African politics? An analysis of the EFF election manifestos in 2014 and 2019 (Doctoral dissertation, Stellenbosch University).

DOI: 10.1016/j.cptl.2018.03.019

Democratic Alliance. (2023). South Africa. In Oxford Reference. Retrieved August 3, 2023, from https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095709724

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-24019-5_7

Economic Freedom Fighters. (2024). Our land and jobs now stop loadshedding: 2024 election manifesto. Consolidating the ground force towards socialist power.

EFF. (2019). EFF 2019 election manifesto. South African History Online. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/eff-2019-election-manifesto

EFF. (2024). EFF election manifesto 2024. Polity. Retrieved March 8, 2024, from https://www.polity.org.za/article/eff-election-manifesto-2024-2024-02-20

DOI: 10.1017/S0022278X21000276

DOI: 10.20940/JAE/2012/v11i2a2

Hurt, S. R., & Kuisma, M. (2016, March). Undermining the ‘rainbow nation’? The Economic Freedom Fighters and left-wing populism in South Africa. In 66th Political Studies Association Annual International Conference, Hilton Brighton Metropole, Brighton (pp. 21-23).

Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa. (2019). Election report: 2019 national and provincial elections. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from https://www.elections.org.za/content/Elections/Election-Report--2019-National-and-Provincial-Elections/

DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/bw6g3

Koekemoer, A. (2017). How the ANC, the DA and the EFF construct South Africa as a nation (Doctoral dissertation, Stellenbosch University).

Koma, S. B., & Tshiyoyo, M. M. (2015). Improving public service delivery in South Africa: A case of administrative reform. African Journal of Public Affairs, 8(2), 30-42.

Levy, B., Hirsch, A., Naidoo, V., & Nxele, M. (2021). South Africa: When strong institutions and massive inequalities collide. Endowment for International Peace. Cape Town: Carnegie.

Lodge, T. (1999). The African National Congress. In A. Reynolds (Ed.), Election ’99 South Africa: From Mandela to Mbeki (pp. 64-87). London: James Currey.

Mamokhere, J., & Kgobe, F. K. L. (2023). Service delivery protests in South African municipalities: Trends, factors, impact and recommendations. Social Sciences and Education Research Review, 10(2), 49-59.

Matlosa, K. (2007). Political parties in Southern Africa: The state of parties and their role in democratization. International IDEA.

DOI: 10.20940/JAE/2015/v14i1a3

DOI: 10.4324/9781003110149-14

DOI: 10.17159/sajs.2021/7807

DOI: 10.36615/jcsa.v40i1.1512

DOI: 10.4314/ai.v51i1.2

DOI: 10.4324/9781003111962-4

DOI: 10.35293/srsa.v36i2.173

DOI: 10.1080/01402382.2013.863518

DOI: 10.1080/02589346.2022.2161448

DOI: 10.1080/02589346.2022.2154925

Nel, I. (2019). The Economic Freedom Fighter’s rise to power: A threat to South Africa’s democratic consolidation (Doctoral dissertation, Stellenbosch University).

Netswera, F. (2016). The rhetoric of political election manifestos: An analysis of the African National Congress local government elections manifestos between 1995 and 2011. In The rhetoric of political election manifestos: An analysis of the African National Congress Local Government Elections Manifestos.

Netswera, F. G. (2014). The underlying factors behind violent municipal service delivery protests in South Africa. Journal of Public Administration, 49(1), 261-273.

Pascolo, L. (2020). Do political parties support participatory democracy? A comparative analysis of party manifestos in Belgium. Constitution-making & Deliberative Democracy COST Action Working Paper Series, (9).

Petersen, S. (2020). Does a dominant party democracy erode constitutional legitimacy? An analysis of the African National Congress and the South African constitution.

SABC News. (2024). Highlights: EFF 2024 elections manifesto. Retrieved February 20, 2024, from https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/highlights-eff-2024-elections-manifesto/

DOI: 10.1016/S2212-5671(15)00416-5

Sebake, B. K. (2021). The balancing act between elections manifesto and the service delivery realities: Public trust at the crossroads. European Journal of Economics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMP.2021.115107

Soldaat, M. M. (2022). A history of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in South African politics, 2013-2018 (Doctoral dissertation, University of the Free State).

Summary of EFF’s. (2024). Manifesto. King Minds. Retrieved May 28, 2024, from https://kingminds.net/summary-of-effs-2024-manifesto/

DOI: 10.1111/ajps.12313

Tshishonga, N. (2014). Cadre deployment and its implications on service delivery in South Africa: A human development capability approach. Journal of Public Administration, 49(3), 891-908.

DOI: 10.2979/africatoday.69.3.01

Welsh, D. (2009). The rise and fall of apartheid. Johannesburg and Cape Town: Jonathan Ball Publishers.

DOI: 10.1353/lib.2006.0053

DOI: 10.31920/2634-3649/2021/v11n4a3

Zantsi, L. K. (2020). The approach of the African National Congress to dealing with participatory spaces in post-apartheid South African local government (Doctoral dissertation, Keele University).