Opening remarks by the Hon Andries Nel, MP, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, at the SADC Electoral Commissions Forum (SADC-ECF) New Commissioners’ Induction Programme at the Radisson Hotel, Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni on 3 June 2026
Programme Director;
Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Commissioners, and CEO of the Electoral Commission of South Africa;
Ms Hilda Modisane and the leadership of the SADC Electoral Commissions Forum (SADC-ECF);
Mr Gram Matenga and representatives of International IDEA;
Prof Kula Theletsane, Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs in the
SADC Secretariat;
Honourable Commissioners from across the SADC region; Distinguished delegates.
Sanibonani. Ninjani? Dumelang! Le kae?
Goeie môre. Hoe gaan dit?
Ndaa! Ndi Matsheloni. No vuwa hani? Habari za asubuhi! Mhali gani?
Bonjour. Comment allez vous? Soyez les bienvenus a l’Afrique du Sul
Bom dia. Como vai? Sejam bemvindos a Africa do Sul.
We welcome you as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the adoption of our Constitution in 1996.
We are doing so under the theme: One Constitution, One Nation: Reflect. Renew. Recommit.
Therefore, I respectfully request that we all rise, whether in body or in spirit, and recite the Preamble to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa:
“We, the people of South Africa,
Recognise the injustices of our past;
Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and
Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.
We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic so as to –
Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights;
Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based onthe will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law;
Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person; and
Build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign
state in the family of nations.
May God protect our people.
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso.
God seën Suid-Afrika. God bless South Africa. Mudzimu fhatutshedza Afurika. Hosi katekisa Afrika.”
The Preamble is a powerful reminder of where we come from, who we are, and the values that inform what we seek to become as a nation.
It is an honour to address this important induction programme for newly appointed Electoral Commissioners from across our SADC region. We are proud that South Africa, through the Electoral Commission of South Africa, is hosting this important initiative in partnership with the SADC Electoral Commissions Forum and International IDEA.
I also wish to congratulate the 13 recently appointed Commissioners who are participating in this induction programme.
Your appointment comes with immense responsibility. Electoral Commissioners are not merely administrators of elections; they are custodians of democratic legitimacy, protectors of constitutional order, and guardians of the people’s trust in democratic institutions.
Commissioners are expressions in the ultimate defence of the democratic souls of nations.
Yours, therefore, is not just another professional appointment but a vocation of immense national consequence.
The SADC region has, over the years, made commendable strides in advancing constitutional democracy, political stability, and electoral governance.
Elections have increasingly become the accepted mechanism through which citizens express their sovereign will and determine the direction of governance in their respective countries.
However, the credibility of elections remains the cornerstone upon which democratic consolidation rests.
Credible elections do far more than produce governments.
They build public confidence in democratic institutions, strengthen social cohesion, promote peaceful political participation, and reduce the likelihood of conflict and instability.
Where elections are transparent, inclusive, peaceful, and trusted, democracy flourishes.
Conversely, where electoral processes are disputed or lack legitimacy, democratic institutions become vulnerable and public confidence erodes.
It is therefore incumbent upon Electoral Commissions to uphold the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, professionalism, and accountability.
Elections in themselves cannot guarantee development but are surely a prerequisite without which social progress is hollow.
As Commissioners, your role demands independence of thought, courage of conviction, and unwavering fidelity to constitutional principles.
In an era characterised by rapid technological change, misinformation, political polarisation, and declining trust in institutions globally, electoral management bodies face increasingly complex challenges.
The integrity of voter registration systems, transparency in results management, effective dispute resolution mechanisms, cybersecurity, and combating disinformation have all become central to safeguarding electoral credibility.
There may be attempts to draw you onto the partisan course, to advantage one political entity above the other. In such circumstances muster the courage to stay the constitutional and independent course.
Any partisan tendency erodes the edifice of electoral integrity with deleterious consequences for the public interest.
The SADC region continues to demonstrate resilience and progress. However, this is not without its challenges.
The Afrobarometer Round 10 survey released in May 2026 was conducted across 38 African countries with more than 50,000 respondents. It finds that Africans remain strongly committed to democracy and elections.
About 74% support choosing leaders through regular, open, and honest elections, 63% support multiparty competition, and large majorities reject dictatorship (79%) and one-party rule (76%).
Around 71% reported voting in their most recent national election, demonstrating continued public engagement in democratic processes despite a gradual decline in support for elections over the past decade. However, confidence in the quality and integrity of elections is weakening.
Only 55% believe their most recent national election was free and fair, down from previous survey rounds, while 36% disagree.
Although most citizens say they are free to vote without pressure (86%) and to join political organisations of their choice (77%), concerns remain significant: 19% feared political intimidation or violence during the last election campaign, and 28% believe powerful people could discover how they voted despite the secrecy of the ballot.
Most strikingly, only 38% trust their country’s electoral management body, while a majority express little or no trust in the institutions responsible for administering elections.
The report also highlights a growing gap between electoral participation and perceived political responsiveness.
While 77% of Africans believe elected officials should follow voters’ demands, only 17% think members of parliament often or always listen to ordinary citizens.
Most respondents feel that elected leaders are insufficiently accountable, raising doubts about whether elections translate into meaningful representation and responsive governance.
The study concludes that although Africans continue to value elections and democratic freedoms, strengthening electoral institutions, protecting political rights, and improving government responsiveness are essential to maintaining public confidence in democracy.
For Southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe), the Afrobarometer findings reveal a mixed picture: citizens remain committed to democratic elections, but confidence in electoral institutions and outcomes is under pressure.
Southern Africa recorded the lowest regional support for elections (65%) among Africa’s five regions, compared to the continental average of 74%.
Several countries in the region also experienced some of the sharpest declines in support for elections over the past decade, including Eswatini (-23 percentage points), South Africa (-16 points), Lesotho (-16 points), Botswana (-16 points), Namibia (-13 points), and Mozambique (-13 points).
Support for multiparty democracy remains generally strong in parts of the region.
Botswana recorded the highest level of support for a multiparty system in Africa (80%), while Zambia (76%), Malawi (76%), Namibia (73%), and Zimbabwe (68%) also showed substantial backing for political competition.
However, support was much weaker in Lesotho (32%), South Africa (58%), Angola (48%), and Eswatini (53%).
At the same time, most Southern Africans continue to reject authoritarian alternatives, indicating that declining enthusiasm for elections does not necessarily translate into support for dictatorship or one-party rule.
In terms of electoral participation, the region sits slightly below the continental average.
Self-reported voter turnout was relatively high in Zimbabwe (80%), Zambia (69%), Namibia (72%), and Eswatini (77%), but lower in South Africa (66%), Botswana (70%), Malawi (65%), Mozambique (74%), Angola (66%), and particularly Lesotho (64%).
The report also notes that younger citizens and urban residents across Africa are generally less likely to vote, a trend that may be contributing to declining engagement in several Southern African countries.
Perceptions of electoral quality vary considerably across the region. Zambia (78%), Madagascar (78%), Eswatini (70%), Namibia (66%), Botswana (62%), and Lesotho (74%) recorded relatively positive assessments of election fairness.
In contrast, Mozambique stands out as one of the region’s most problematic cases, with 65% saying elections were not free and fair or had major problems.
South Africa also showed growing scepticism, with only 48% rating elections as free and fair.
Concerns about political intimidation and violence were particularly pronounced in Mozambique (35%), Zimbabwe (31%), Malawi (38%), and Zambia (30%), while Botswana, Mauritius, and Morocco recorded some of the lowest levels of fear on the continent.
Perhaps the most significant challenge for Southern Africa is trust in electoral management bodies and perceptions of political responsiveness.
Majorities in South Africa (62%), Botswana (58%), Eswatini (47%), Namibia (50%), Lesotho (51%), Malawi (50%), and Zimbabwe (43%) expressed little or no trust in their electoral commissions.
Citizens across the region also believe elected representatives are not sufficiently responsive to voters.
Although overwhelming majorities think leaders should follow citizens’ demands, most respondents say their members of parliament either never or only sometimes listen to ordinary people.
The findings suggest that while democratic principles remain widely supported in Southern Africa, declining confidence in electoral institutions and dissatisfaction with government responsiveness are eroding trust in the effectiveness of democratic governance.
The IEC Voter Participation Survey (VPS) 2025/26, conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), reveal a concerning decline in democratic confidence.
National pride remains relatively high, but support for democracy as the preferred form of government has fallen to a historic low of 36%, while growing numbers of citizens either feel the type of government does not matter (34%) or are open to non-democratic alternatives (26%).
Satisfaction with how democracy is functioning has also deteriorated sharply, with 68% dissatisfied and only 17% believing the country is moving in the right direction.
Trust in public institutions has weakened significantly over the past two decades.
Confidence in national government, Parliament, local government, and political parties has declined to some of the lowest levels recorded, while trust in the Electoral Commission (IEC) has dropped to 32% among the general public, although it remains much higher among active voters.
The survey identifies a widening gap between democratic ideals and citizens’ perceptions of reality: South Africans still regard free and fair elections as important, but confidence that elections fully meet this standard has declined.
At the same time, some indicators suggest growing demand for strong leadership, with notable minorities willing to support leaders who bypass rules, institutions, or judicial oversight if they believe it will deliver results.
At the local level, dissatisfaction with service delivery remains a major concern ahead of the 2026 elections.
While social grants, education, healthcare, and electricity receive relatively positive evaluations, large majorities are dissatisfied with government performance in creating jobs, reducing crime, providing affordable housing, and ensuring reliable water and sanitation services.
Citizens’ engagement with ward councillors is limited, although a majority express some level of satisfaction with their performance.
Overall, the survey paints a picture of a society experiencing declining institutional trust, and frustration with governance outcomes, while still maintaining a commitment to participation and democratic processes that will shape the upcoming local government elections.
This induction programme is therefore both timely and strategic.
It provides newly appointed Commissioners with an opportunity not only to deepen technical knowledge and institutional understanding, but also to reflect on the broader democratic mission entrusted to electoral institutions.
It is also an opportunity to foster solidarity and collaboration among Electoral Commissions across the region.
South Africa’s own democratic journey has taught us that strong institutions are indispensable to constitutional democracy.
Since 1994, our Electoral Commission has played a pivotal role in ensuring that elections remain free, fair, and credible, thereby strengthening public confidence in democratic governance.
We recognise, however, that democracy is never a finished project. It requires constant nurturing, vigilance, adaptation, and renewal.
Electoral institutions must continuously evolve to respond to emerging threats while remaining anchored in the principles of transparency, inclusivity, fairness, and accountability.
As SADC countries, we share a collective responsibility to ensure that our electoral systems continue to inspire confidence among citizens, particularly young people, whose faith in democracy will shape the future of our region.
The success of democracy in Southern Africa depends not only on conducting elections regularly, but on ensuring that those elections genuinely reflect the will of the people. In this regard, the work you do as Commissioners carries profound significance for peace, development, regional integration, and democratic stability.
As I conclude, allow me once again to commend the SADC Electoral Commissions Forum, the Electoral Commission of South Africa, and International IDEA for convening this important programme.
May your deliberations over the coming days be productive, insightful, and enriching.
May this induction strengthen your collective resolve to safeguard electoral integrity and deepen democracy throughout our region.
In the moving words of the African Union Anthem:
„Let us all unite and celebrate together The victories won for our liberation
Let us dedicate ourselves to rise together
To defend our liberty and unity O Sons and Daughters of Africa
Flesh of the Sun and Flesh of the Sky
Let us make Africa the Tree of Life”
I wish you fruitful engagements and every success in your responsibilities as Commissioners.
I thank you.
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