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In South Africa as of 2025, there are still a number of lingering issues that affect and influence the general populace in making their political decisions—thus, voting. These issues stretch across economic, financial, and social lines.
Economically speaking, the issue of a high unemployment rate has indeed been a deciding factor for many people as they head to the ballot box. Although South Africa is much more developed in comparison to many African countries and has a relatively stable economy, its unemployment stats are staggering. Many young people are unemployed, and so when they vote, they choose the political party that promises them a better future with job security.
Many South Africans, understandably, are against the rampant influx of undocumented and unregulated immigrants flocking to South Africa for better job opportunities from across the continent—mainly from Zimbabwe, with over 2 million Zimbabweans reportedly residing in South Africa.
Immigrants also come from Mozambique, Nigeria, Zambia, and even as far as Pakistan. The Pakistanis have predominantly taken over South Africa’s spaza shop industry, leaving many locals voicing their grievances.
Many South Africans would vote for someone who promises and assures them that this will be dealt with. Not only is it affecting local employment, but because many of these immigrants are undocumented, this has also contributed to a spike in crime—making kasi areas almost uninhabitable due to the high crime rates, often worsened by untraceable, undocumented foreigners.
Corruption is also fueling this rampant immigration. It begins right at the border posts, where those tasked with monitoring and controlling entry turn a blind eye—as long as they are bribed, illegal immigrants are allowed to pass freely.
In addition to the issues mentioned above, there is another growing concern: many South Africans are slowly being pushed out of the housing market. Highly paid Europeans and Westerners are flocking into the country, especially Cape Town, to live as digital nomads. This trend has caused a sharp spike in rental and property prices, making it nearly impossible for local South Africans to afford decent housing in their own communities.
