In one of those polarised arguments which are typical of South African political debate, a quarter-century of democracy has either changed everything – or nothing. Both views are right and both wrong.

This claim is made not to appear cute. It reflects an important reality which the debate largely ignores: that a society can both change and remain the same. This book argues that this is precisely what has happened in South Africa since formal democracy was achieved in 1994. It aims to show that, while much has changed, the society still operates in ways which share strong features with realities before all adults were allowed to vote and all citizens were able to enjoy, at least in principle, the freedoms which are central to democratic citizenship.

The view that nothing has changed might sound good in speeches but does not bear serious scrutiny. It should be trite to point out that, under apartheid, most South Africans could not live or move where they pleased. Or that most people were denied, because of their race, the opportunity to study where they wished or to occupy the jobs best suited to their talents and inclinations. Some of these restrictions were eased as the apartheid state tried to reform in order to survive, but not all were. When formal democracy began in 1994, black South Africans still laboured under severe restrictions. Today, none of them apply. South Africans are far freer today than before apartheid ended.

Nor is there substance to the claim that the first 25 years of democracy have brought no social and economic changes. This period witnessed a strong growth in a black professional and business class which was only beginning to emerge when democracy dawned. This growth is a consequence of ending racial restrictions and of affirmative action policies introduced since 1994. Programmes implemented since democracy's advent have enhanced access to assets for people living in poverty. Contrary to claims that democratic government has offered nothing to most South Africans, access to electricity, water and other public goods has grown significantly. The most significant gain of all for people denied access to the middle class has been the extension of more than 17.7 million social grants.