This report on the Cost of Politics in South Africa, based on research conducted in 2025, examines the financial and emotional toll of contesting elections in a maturing democracy navigating political transition. With 27.8 million registered voters and a newly formed Government of National Unity following the landmark 2024 elections, the study captures how money, party structures, and social expectations shape access to political power.
While South Africa’s proportional representation system is often seen as a pathway to inclusivity, the reality is more complex. Candidates reported campaign spending ranging from R17,000 to R1 million, with personal finances often covering costs (especially for those from smaller parties or independents). The internal dynamics of closed-party lists further concentrate influence in the hands of party leadership, making nominations competitive and opaque.
Despite positive signs such as 41.9% female candidates, young people remain underrepresented, and female aspirants in particular face disproportionate emotional and financial burdens. The report highlights how unequal access to funding, especially for newcomers, creates barriers to entry, undermines fair competition, and risks entrenching political inequality in South Africa’s evolving democracy.
This study is supported by the WYDE Civic Engagement project, which aims to empower youth in democratic processes. Through this research, the Cost of Politics reports unlock the unique processes of electoral participation and their impact on democracy in different countries.
