Ten years after the fall of apartheid and the birth of a new democracy, South Africans went to the polls for their third national election in April 2004. During the past ten years, the people of South Africa have witnessed dramatic changes in their government, as well as in their daily lives.

A comprehensive, nationally representative survey of South Africans was conducted by The Washington Post, Kaiser Family Foundation, and Harvard University to examine South Africans’ views about democracy and the challenges facing the country leading up to the April 2004 election. This extensive survey, “South Africans at Ten Years of Democracy,” also sought to explore perceptions of how things have changed since the end of apartheid, as well as perceived challenges for the future, including issues such as unemployment, crime, race relations, and HIV/AIDS. Finally, the survey included many questions designed to illuminate the real-life experiences of South Africans, and the struggles and successes they face on a daily basis (March 2004).

 Toplines

 Summary and Chartpack

The Washington Post's Survey Articles:

"Despite Deep Woes, Democracy Instills Hope," March 31, 2004 (first of two articles)
"A Wave of Death, Surging Higher," April 1, 2004 (second of two articles)
"Putting a Neighborhood, And Its People, on the Map," March 31, 2004
"A World Apart," March 31, 2004
"Death Gives a Neighborhood Life," April 1, 2004

 The Washington Post's video series - A snapshot of South Africa ten years after its first free elections