Like a charismatic church revival, hands were flung above heads and song rang out among the pews as the fourth democratic parliament chose Jacob Zuma president, declaring “we have arrived” in an atmosphere not unlike a giant painful breath being released after a long, long time. The house was abuzz with the new (those whose girths are as yet unaffected by committee-meeting pastries) the old (with some former bigwigs warming the backbenches) and the back-with-a-vengeance (Mbeki foe Tokyo Sexwale along with the gorgeous, and some suspect cryogenically preserved, Winnie Mandela).
This is the hub, where 400 lawmakers get to mould legislation to change people’s lives, effect the changes promised by government, and — supposedly in a parliamentary democracy — be the voice of those in their constituencies. After an election which has brought in many changes, and many new hopes, it is a good time to reflect on what democracy means and how it is carried out in South Africa.
Aristotle once said that “in democracies, the poor are more powerful than the rich, because there are more of them and whatever is decided by the majority is sovereign.” This is very apt in a democracy like ours, where one cannot dispute the overwhelming democratic victory of the ANC, however clear flaws exist — some of which have played themselves out in older democracies — which we should try and avoid.
Democracy, like most political ideology, is often vague in its implementation and has never had all the answers. Despite the fact that universal suffrage allows citizens to place power in the hands of those they wish to have it, it immediately becomes concentrated in those hands which are invariably sullied with self-interest and greed. No one can assure that all 400 members of parliament are selfless, committed individuals there only to give a voice to the public who are inevitably rendered voiceless.
A two-year assessment of our parliament noted its weakness in oversight of the executive and greater concern about party political interest than that of the voters — suggesting electoral reform as a way to greater accountability. In most cases citizens had no idea who was serving their constituency. And what happens to the voiceless? Are they the reason for Bantu Holomisa’s dark warning that “the population is becoming restless” and signs of anarchy creeping in?
After 15 years of democracy, many are quick to latch onto the faults in the system, and it is interesting to observe how achieving stable democracy has played out elsewhere. In Europe, the first excited rush of parliamentary democracy from about 1918 slid rapidly into dictatorships, Nazism, fascism and communism. The Great Depression was also key in this. It was a long messy slog back to democracy.
Mark Mazower in his book Dark Continent: Europe’s 20th century notes how fascism was the product of democratic decay located most obviously in the workings of parliament — often spurred by fragmentation due to proportional representation. This included egotism around political parties and leaders and them not being perceived as standing for the country as a whole. The ANC is wholly supportive of democracy, when it is delivered by the ANC, in the ANC’s way. Is this the religion we will see in this parliament?
Young democracies, sprung from a history of colonialism, have developed similar characteristics across Africa, which I shan’t labour on except to say this: Europe’s struggle was finding a system of values that could be sustained. Our values need never be those of the West but we do need a system that works for us.
Our problems are different and we need to be innovative and somehow more effective as we are playing catch up in a globalised world.
However, as the saying goes, you cannot have a democracy without democrats.
The 80:20 principle applies to most. 80% of the work is done by 20% of the workers. This applies to our government as well. It will be interesting to note in a few months time who fits in where.This election was the last chance for a true democracy to come into existance in RSA. History, as often as repeated in Africa, has shown that the democratic process is used to remove the colonisers, but when democracy attempts to remove the bad government, the process get overhauled.
The first change we will see is a beafing up of security. The weaker the leader, the bigger the threat, therefore much more security. The next change will be the new comrades getting jobs to support the leadership. The weak, almost non existent service delivery will need time to settle in.
The result: the 20% doing the 80% of the work will have to work even harder to cover for the girth expanding, glazed cheecked fellow leaders.
I have one big question: How will the leaders reverse the current moral decay, the destruction of a base value system. Political solution: make more laws. Real solution: set a proactive example that can be followed by the youth. Lead by example, not (over) legislation. In RSA crime pays, follow the example of the leaders.
I support the 20%
Spot on, Fran. My gut feeling is that Zuma’s presidency will be benevolent – as long things are going broadly the ANC’s way. If not, all bets are off and the constitution’s not safe.
Well this is where the idea of a true democracy is often so flawed. Especially in the African context. Look how many of our neighbours have become dominant party states. The MPLA in Angola happily won parliamentary elections there with 90 percent and opposition has withered away. Other countries also prove that often it is the citizens themselves who don’t have democratic values. Is it how they identify with their liberators? Do they feel their interests are truly served by a one-party state? If so that is the will of the majority and the majority will eventually rule so the 20 percent becomes less and less relevant (aside from footing the taxes).
This is why I use Europe (a vague concept in itself) as an example. Fascinating how a crisis in European life among non-democratically minded citizens affected democracy there. Extremists raised in war preferred violence to reason, embracing the politics of confrontation. (Mazower).
A criticism of democracy I agree with is that rights often become more valued than duties. Too much freedom in all spheres of society leads to moral decay.
Pure democracy, I feel, needs pure conditions. SA is too divided in poverty, education etc. The danger comes in how we adapt our democracy to cater for the needs of the 80 percent and preserve our freedoms. It takes one hell of a leadership, an honest one with clear goals and strong oversight! I hope we can do it!
Zuma has to get both Hlophe and Selebi off the hook first.
Evidence against either of them can sink Zuma – if Hlophe was the judge that authorised Mbeki to be spied on, and Selebi is allowed to use the “tapes” in his defense.
http://news.iafrica.com/specialreport/zuma_trial/1441207.htm
“Zuma is the illegitimate colonial occupier of the Cape,” Cape Party deputy leader Adrian Kay said in a statement.
The party stood only in the Western Cape in last month’s polls, where it received 2552 votes, 0.13 percent of the total number cast in the ballot for the provincial legislature.
Kay said however his party believed the vote “confirmed the independence of the Cape from South Africa”.
“The voters made a clear statement, that this is not South Africa: this is the Cape.”
Kay said it was only a matter of time before progressive people relocated to the Cape to build a prosperous future in a new country as “Azania” had failed. ”
GAUTIES have already have and more to follow.
Regret I did not know of this party – as an ex-Capie;
I would have put a big cross in the box for 2553.
Helen Zille has made a big mistake with her very first act by appointing white males to serve the people.
A very street smart woman, makes an unforgivable “OOPS!”
Her exposed gut is now a huge target for ANC punches and kicks. She should kick herself too.
Excellent Service Delivery counts for ZERO !
Love your style Fran Brandy! A suggestion for your article should have been ” Parly a Damnmockery” is more to the point.
@ Fran: “Our problems are different and we need to be innovative and somehow more effective as we are playing catch up in a globalised world”.
Interesting bio Fran. So you wanted to be a scientist but ended up as a writer? Don’t all writers? I guess that’s why the ANC says that science education needs to be intensified. It seems that even in the former “model-C” schools students were struggling with this discipline-hence the overproduction of Humanities graduates in Universities.
@Phillipa: Indeed the Humanities has always been a flooded department. However it doesn’t take a nuclear physicist to know that assumptions can be way off the mark. Let’ s not assume all students in this field were failed and inept scientist-wannabes, and perhaps had a passion and a choice.
A bit like saying only someone who could not do woodwork would want to go into politics….
Thanks for a great article. I see that I am not the only one that thinks the ANC is fascist. Two elections ago, having cited the following: Both the old Nationalist Party (NP) and the African National Congress (ANC) are fascist in their view points and endeavour.
Stan
ANC government is ruled by Communists AND Facists.
Communications Nyana (Free speech ?)
Education Nzimande (re-education politically)
Mugabe cheered as a hero.
New ministries for Centralisation of Power
Docs with (?) Amin Skills to run Health Dept.
The seat of ALL power is in the Presidency.
Will the poor majority wait for 100 days ?
The nation has been deceived with all the glitz and hoohah.
VIVA SA ZIM
ANC has learnt too well from Zimbabwe.
@ Old, female, paleface
The ANC is ruled by the ANC, which comprises of Communists, Socialists and Fascists. Socialism is closer to Fascism, than Communism is! Most people believe that the Russian were once Communist, that is a western belief. Russia was ruled by Socialists.
Presidents are expendable, parties are not! Better the enemy you know, than one you don’t.
As for President General Jacobus Zooma as referred to by others … give the man a chance. Fighting unemployment is a top priority – that he is addressing with earnest. In a country with the highest unemployment rate in the world … by his own words. I could continue with the Afrikaner, but won’t.
Should he address the other subjects of Health & Crime with the same vigour. Then maybe he will be we will have a second, Madiba.
South Africa was heading at an alarming rate, along the path that Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) took. Hope that changes soon, very soon.
Or the nation will speak …
@ Old, female, paleface,
Furthermore you can read what has been said about ‘Fascism’ here: http://zr6ajf.multiply.com/journal/item/593/FASCISM_a_system_of_government_characterized_by_rigid_one-party_dictatorship and ‘Communism’ here: http://zr6ajf.multiply.com/journal/item/592/COMMUNISM_any_economic_theory_or_system_based_on_the_ownership_of_all_property_by_the_community for reference.
Pardon if this is not allowed …
Stan – thank you for the links.
I am appreciative that you care, and will download them.
The last time I read Fascism was as a teenager, in the rise of Mussolini & Hitler.
The Nats were fascists. A Soutie, married into an Afrikaner family, I was a Communist, traitor, Black Boetie, as I dared to criticise the Nats.
A Liberal was and still is a traitor, nearly 80 years of my life. We stir the political pot then cast aside.
ANC is not Socialist, sorry – I devoured books on Russia and Communism which were later banned in libraries.
Zuma has centralised power – a Politburo.
They are for the poor but must educate them, as Russia did in the 30-s.
Zuma speaks of “camps” “political education” “street committees” and he may create communal farming, to put them to work – with produce sold to Gov. (Wheelbarrows & axes) good idea if corrupted by local “cadres.” Let them farm but sell produce on open market as incentive for labour.
Factories may be opened and workers abused. China Russia are examples of sweat shops.
Socialism is best but is always abused. People must be motivated to work instead of handouts that destroys dignity and humanity.
Rural “DEVELOPMENT” with trade schools; skills taught is what I expect from ANC.
Give back my fellow citizens their self-worth, they earned it with their vote.
I am watching the ANC.
@ Old, female, paleface,
As with a gem, the ANC has many facets. Though there is children (regardless of age) that should be allowed to play, un-intervened – with a chainsaw.
Fascism abounds throughout the world, wherever there is a majority (greater than 50%). Until recently, have always stated that, ‘A good Government – has a strong opposition.’
Presently, ‘A good Government is an isosceles tripartite Government.’
Politics on today’s standards, is a big farce and for the ignorant. Voting for the person (who is expendable), and not the party!
Right is right, however few do it – wrong is wrong, however many do it!
May we all, be ever watchful of the ANC/any political party.
Si vis pacis, para bellum.