This archive report was first published on 4 November 2021.
On a sweltering day in April 1994, South Africans of all races waited hours in the sun to cast their first-ever vote, marking the end of apartheid and the birth of the 'rainbow nation.'
Fast forward to today, and the country is facing an impasse. The economy is struggling, and citizens are feeling the pinch. Miriam, a 29-year-old packer in a suburban supermarket, is one of them.
She lives in Khayelitsha, a shantytown on the outskirts of Cape Town, where she worries about her safety and that of her two young children. The area is plagued by gang violence, muggings, and high levels of rape.
Despite the hope and optimism that once characterized South Africa, many citizens are now feeling despair. Miriam and her co-worker Eunice, who also lives in Khayelitsha, worry about a range of issues, including petrol prices, which have reached record highs.
As a result, minibus taxis, which are used by 80% of commuters, are likely to hike their rates, making it even harder for people like Miriam to make ends meet.
"Nothing ever changes," Miriam says. "That's why I didn't vote."
Her sentiments are echoed by many South Africans, who feel that voting is pointless. The country's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), is still in power, but it is now a minority party, and its popularity is waning.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is still the country's most popular political figure, but even he may not be able to stem the tide of discontent. As one customer at a supermarket checkout notes, "It's a waste of time voting. Why must I spend my time and money doing that when I am just getting someone else into a job where they can steal."
