The new study at a glance

The main facts and findings in the Centre for Social Development in Africa’s study into the demographics of South African voters and what influenced their choice are:

O Most respondents were aged between 18 and 34 (49%), 43% were 35 to 59 years old and 7% were older than 60.

O 75% of respondents were black, 11% coloured, 11% white and 3% Indian/Asian.

O Most respondents were working (49%) as opposed to not working (19%) or unemployed (32%). Respondents were largely poor and fell into the lower- and middleincome bands.

O In terms of education 50% of respondents have grade 12 as the highest level of education, 28% secondary school and 4% primary school. A further 4% of respondents have an artisan’s certificate, 6% have a technikon diploma and 4% have a university degree.

O Most respondents said they intended to vote for the ANC (53%) in 2019, followed by the Democratic Alliance (22%) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) (6%). Just 5% of respondents said that they would not vote.

O When asked which people consider to be more important — democratic rights or socioeconomic wellbeing — the majority (44.6%) said socioeconomic wellbeing.

O Almost 24% of respondents received a grant from the government. Of the respondents who received a grant, 73% said that they would vote ANC. And 61% of respondents who did not receive a grant said they would vote ANC.

O In post-analysis statistical modelling, however, receipt of a government grant was not found to be statistically significant in predicting voters’ party choice; the fear of losing a grant should a new party come to power was significant. Those who held this fear are more likely to vote ANC in the 2019 general election.

O Of all respondents, 14.6% said that one reason they voted for a particular party was that they “receive a government grant and are afraid that another party will not give [them] a grant”. One in four grant recipients said this was their reason for their party choice. It is not the provision of social grants but the fear of their removal that appears to be the primary motivator.