Latest data finds 65% of middle-income earners want ANC out in the 2024

Loading player...
GUEST – Brandon de Kock - BrandMapp director of storytelling

More than half of South African taxpayers want to vote the governing party out of power in next year’s elections because of rolling blackouts, a survey shows.

An online poll of almost 1 500 adults last month found that 65% of middle-income earners are seriously considering not voting for the African National Congress in next year’s general elections, according to a BrandMapp-Silverstone report published on the website of Cape Town-based consultancy WhyFive.

Africa’s most industrialised economy has been subjected to rolling blackouts, known locally as load shedding, since 2008 because state power utility Eskom has been unable to meet demand from its old and poorly maintained plants. The daily outages are costing the country as much as R899 million per day and hobbling economic growth, with output only expected to increase 0.3% this year, according to the central bank.

“Taxpayers of South Africa are being pushed to the limits, not just of their tolerance, but of their ability to remain resilient, productive and positive about the future,” the company said. “It could be argued that all social revolutions begin at the crest of a wave of urgency, and if that is indeed true, then we have certainly reached that point.”
15 Mar 2023 1PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Pivot Point: Shaping Africa’s Energy Future

Ndapwilapo Selma Shimutwikeni, Founder and CEO of RichAfrica Consulting, shares insights on transforming Africa’s natural resource potential into sustainable economic growth. We explore investment opportunities in oil and gas, the Orange Basin, Namibia’s energy policy, ESG strategies, and how African countries can better leverage natural resources for long-term development.
12 Mar 1PM 38 min

Standard Bank Group Posts Strong 2025 Results

Standard Bank Group has closed 2025 on a strong note, reporting headline earnings of R49.2 billion and a return on equity of 19.3%, hitting the top end of its ROE target range. CEO Simpiwe “Sim” Tshabalala joins us to unpack the drivers behind the bank’s performance, including growth in digital…
12 Mar 1PM 11 min

South Africa’s Mining Sector Off to a Strong Start

Stats SA reports a 4.6% rise in mining output and a 31.7% jump in mineral sales year-on-year for January. Mining analyst Peter Major breaks down which minerals are driving growth, whether gains are linked to prices or volumes, and what these trends mean for investors and the South African economy.
12 Mar 1PM 11 min

INSIDE YOUR POCKET: Retirement Under Pressure: Rising Debt Among Older South Africans

As South Africa’s population ages, more seniors are turning to credit to cover everyday expenses. Andrew Fulton, Director at Eighty20, explores the financial realities for “Humble Elders” and “Comfortable Retirees,” why defaults among seniors are rising, and what this means for families, policymakers, and the broader economy.
12 Mar 1PM 13 min

Sanlam Delivers Strong 2025 Results and Pan-African Expansion

South Africa’s leading financial services group, Sanlam, achieved record new business of R496 billion, with net client cash flows more than doubling. CFO Abigail Mukhuba discusses the group’s operational performance, Pan-African growth strategy, strategic acquisitions like Assupol and Shriram Finance, the launch of the ZARU stablecoin, and how the company…
12 Mar 1PM 11 min