The Future South Africa We Want: Democracy@30

The Future South Africa We Want: Democracy@30 captures thirty years of democracy through the lived experiences of diverse South African communities. Moving from QwaQwa to Vuwani, Soweto, Langa, Luka, Platfontein and beyond, the book foregrounds ordinary citizens’ reflections on progress, frustration, resilience and aspirations. Drawing on theories of social reproduction, exclusion and democratic consolidation, it interrogates the gap between political freedom and enduring inequality.

HSRC Press

Product Information

Format:

170 x 245mm

Pages:

256pp

ISBN-13:

978-0-7969-2724-8

Publish Year:

September 2025

Rights:

World Rights

Acknowledgements

Acronyms

List of figures and tables

Introduction: The people shall govern? Democracy at 30 through the eyes of South African communities

Sarah Mosoetsa, Charles Hongoro, Nompumelelo Zungu, Collin Mongale and Mokhantšo Makoae

Chapter 1: Thirty years of democracy in a former homeland: Insights, experiences, transitions and contestations of development in QwaQwa

Grey Magaiza, Mokhantšo Makoae, Tholang Mokhele, Precious Tirivanhu, Noncedo Maphosho and N Mathibela

Chapter 2: ‘The Vuwani we want’: A journey of hope as Vuwani schools rise from the ashes

Modimowabarwa Kanyane

Chapter 3: Democracy@30: Community voices from Matsulu township in Mpumalanga, South Africa Simangele Dlamini, Gcina Malandela and Fanelesibonge Masinga

Chapter 4: Life in the Platinum Belt: Socio-economic struggles in the village of Luka

Modimowabarwa Kanyane, Moraka Shopola, Collin Mongale and Mcebisi Mabuza

Chapter 5: Orlando West, Soweto: Youth reflections on 30 years of democracy and beyond

Tshepo Moloi

Chapter 6: The state of youth in Langa 30 years into democracy: Perspectives of older residents in Langa township Dane Isaacs, Johannes Viljoen, Diana Sanchez Betancourt and Yul Derek Davids

Chapter 7: Wentworth reflections on the promise and experience of democracy

Gregory Houston, Darian Smith, Theresa Saber and Maree Harold

Chapter 8: Beyond the ballot box: Lived experiences of Democracy@30 in Galeshewe and Platfontein

Kombi Sausi, Nyawo Gumede, Gadija Khan and Gcina Malandela

Chapter 9: Freedom corrupted? Democratic legitimation in South Africa at Democracy@30

Joleen Steyn Kotze

Chapter 10: Democracy@30: Voters’ experience of access to water services in Mxekazi and Cwebe in the Eastern Cape

Kombi Sausi, Emmanuel Fundisi, Benjamin Roberts and Joleen Kotze

Conclusion ‘The future we want’: From Mpumalanga to the Western Cape

Sarah Mosoetsa, Charles Hongoro, Nompumelelo Zungu, Collin Mongale, Fezeka Katise and Mokhantšo Makoae

Contributor biographies

Index

Sarah Mosoetsa , Human Sciences Research Council

Prof. Mosoetsa is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the HSRC. She holds a doctorate in Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand. She was instrumental in establishing and setting up the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences in 2013 and held the position of CEO at the Institute from 2014. She is the author of several publications, including books and journal articles. Prof. Mosoetsa is passionate about the humanities and social sciences in South Africa, the continent and the globe, and their contribution to societies grappling with challenges of poverty and inequalities, economic transformation and redress.

Charles Hongoro, Human Sciences Research Council

School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria

Prof. Charles Hongoro is a senior research director at the Human Sciences Research Council and an extraordinary professor of health economics, systems and policy at the School of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria. His research interests include sustainable human security, climate change, health economics, systems and policy research, science translation, and evaluation studies.

Nompumelelo Zungu, Human Sciences Research Council

School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Dr Nompumelelo Zungu leads a subdivision called Health Policy and Belonging at the Human Sciences Research Council. She is also a senior honorary lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, School of Nursing and Public Health and the current Editor in Chief of the SAHARA Journal. Her special interests are in the social aspects and social determinants of health. She has co-authored over 73 peer-reviewed journal articles, 19 books and 15 book chapters.

Mokhantšo Makoae, Human Sciences Research Council

Dr Mokhantšo Makoae is a research director at the Human Sciences Research Council with expertise in designing and leading research projects that contribute to improving institutions, influencing policy and programmes for behavioural and structural transformation in African societies. She also has experience in research ethics review frameworks and processes.