While it is clear that the post-apartheid period has seen significant progress in building new democratic and developmental institutions, question marks remain with regard to how government has been able to build relations with citizens, particularly those who were historically deprived of the benefits of citizenship under apartheid. The evidence is mixed.

There is positive evidence that the GCR has a politically conscious citizenry that is actively engaged in that it continues to participate, at very high turnout rates, in local and national/provincial elections.