How To Become A Politician In South Africa (2025)

1. Understand the Political System

Before entering politics, you need a deep understanding of South Africa’s political structure. The country follows a constitutional democracy with a three-tier government system:

• National Government: Consists of the President, National Assembly, and National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
• Provincial Government: Each of the nine provinces has a Premier and a Provincial Legislature.
• Local Government: Made up of municipalities, including metropolitan, district, and local councils.

South Africa has a multi-party system, with the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and other parties playing significant roles.

To be effective, familiarize yourself with:

• The Constitution of South Africa
• The Electoral Act
• The roles of different government branches

2. Develop a Passion for Public Service

Politics is about serving people, not just gaining power. Before running for office, get involved in community projects, activism, or advocacy. Volunteering in civic organizations, participating in protests for social justice, or joining local forums can help you build a reputation as someone who genuinely cares about the public.

3. Get the Right Education and Skills

While there are no strict educational requirements to become a politician in South Africa, having a background in certain fields can be beneficial.

Recommended Studies:

• Political Science
• Law
• Public Administration
• Economics
• International Relations

Many South African politicians have legal or governance-related backgrounds. However, even business, sociology, or journalism degrees can be valuable.

Essential Skills:

• Public Speaking – To communicate effectively with voters and stakeholders.
• Leadership – To inspire and manage teams.
• Negotiation – To engage in policy discussions and debates.
• Critical Thinking – To analyze policies and respond to crises.
• Networking – To build relationships with influential people.

Consider joining debating clubs, leadership programs, or student government in school or university to refine these skills.

4. Join a Political Party

Most politicians start by joining an established political party. While independent candidates can run for office, being part of a party provides resources, mentorship, and a structured path.

How to Choose a Party:

1. Research political ideologies: Do you support socialism, capitalism, nationalism, or liberalism?
2. Examine party policies: Look at their manifestos and past performance.
3. Attend political events: Engage with members at rallies and meetings.
4. Speak to party representatives: Ask about membership benefits and responsibilities.

Each party has its own youth league, volunteer programs, and mentorship opportunities. If you want to be active in the ANC, for example, you could join the ANC Youth League (ANCYL).

5. Gain Political Experience

Ways to Get Involved:

• Work as a Party Volunteer – Help in campaigns, door-to-door canvassing, and organizing events.
• Become a Youth League or Branch Member – Engage in local party activities.
• Work as a Political Staffer – Intern in a political office to learn governance.
• Run for Local Government – Start as a ward councilor or community representative.

This experience helps you build credibility and recognition within your party and community.

6. Build a Strong Public Profile

Community Involvement

• Be active in social justice movements, religious groups, or charity organizations.
• Organize fundraisers, workshops, and awareness campaigns on social issues.

Media Presence

• Create social media accounts and share your political views.
• Engage with the public through radio, TV, and newspaper interviews.
• Write articles or blogs about policy issues and solutions.

A strong public presence helps you gain supporters and makes you a recognizable figure in political circles.

7. Run for Office

Once you have experience and recognition, you can contest elections.

Steps to Run for Office:

1. Meet Eligibility Requirements

   • You must be a South African citizen.
   • You must be at least 18 years old for local elections and 21 years old for Parliament.
   • You must not have a criminal record related to corruption or serious offenses.

2. Register with the Electoral Commission (IEC)

   • You need to be registered as a voter before you can contest elections.
   • If running as an independent, you must submit nomination forms and a deposit.

3. Get Nominated by Your Party

   • Political parties choose candidates based on internal selection processes.
   • You may need to go through a party primary election or committee selection.

4. Launch Your Campaign

   • Develop a campaign strategy with clear policies.
   • Mobilize supporters through rallies, posters, door-to-door visits, and social media.
   • Engage in public debates and interviews.

5. Fundraise for Your Campaign

   • Political campaigns require funding for logistics, advertising, and travel.
   • Seek donations from supporters or fundraising events.

8. Win and Serve the People

If you are elected, your work as a politician begins. Your responsibilities will depend on your position, whether as a local councilor, MP, or Minister.

Duties of a Politician in South Africa:

• Representing the people in Parliament, provincial legislatures, or local councils.
• Proposing and debating laws that affect the country.
• Overseeing government spending and projects.
• Engaging with citizens to address their concerns.
• Advocating for policies that improve economic and social conditions.

To succeed, remain honest, transparent, and accountable. Your reputation is everything in politics—one scandal can end your career.

9. Continue Growing in Politics

A successful political career involves lifelong learning and networking. To advance, you can:

• Build alliances within your party and government.
• Study further (e.g., get a Master’s in Public Policy or Law).
• Expand your influence by writing books or giving public lectures.
• Run for higher office, such as Premier, Minister, or even President.

The most important thing is staying true to your principles and working for the betterment of the country. If you are passionate about change, now is the time to take the first step

1. Make Laws & Policies – They propose, debate, and pass laws to govern society.
2. Represent the People – They speak and act on behalf of their constituents’ interests.
3. Manage Public Resources – They decide how tax money is spent on services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
4. Solve Problems – They address social, economic, and political issues through policy decisions.
5. Engage with the Public – They listen to people’s concerns and campaign for votes during elections.
6. Work with Others – They collaborate with other politicians, businesses, and organizations to implement policies.

At higher levels, politicians also handle diplomacy, national security, and economic planning. Essentially, their job is to shape the rules and systems that govern everyday life

1. Influence and Power

• Ability to shape laws, policies, and governance.
• Influence over social, economic, and political matters.
• Opportunity to advocate for important causes and bring change.

2. Financial and Career Benefits

• Competitive salary and allowances.
• Access to government-funded perks (housing, transport, security).
• Post-career opportunities in consulting, public speaking, and board memberships.

3. Networking and Social Status

• Connections with influential figures in business, media, and international relations.
• Elevated social status and respect in the community.

4. Opportunity to Serve the Public

• Ability to address issues affecting constituents.
• Chance to implement policies that improve people’s lives.
• Opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.

5. Personal Growth and Development

• Public speaking, leadership, and negotiation skills improvement.
• Exposure to different cultures, communities, and global perspectives.
• Intellectual stimulation through debates and policy-making.

6. Travel and Diplomatic Opportunities

• Official international and domestic travel.
• Participation in global summits and political forums.

While being a politician comes with challenges, these benefits make the career attractive to many

Some Famous Politicians In South Africa

Here are some famous politicians in South Africa: