Redi Tlhabi | Democracy on the ballot

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the much-awaited election date. On 29th May South Africans will go to the polls for the 7th time since the fall of apartheid. There is a heaviness in the air. 

The disappointment of unrequited love is palpable as we reckon with the undeniable truth that 30 years since the party of Nelson Mandela swept to power with a two-thirds majority, its reign has been lackluster. The African National Congress has not loved us back.

Over the years, it has forgotten those long and winding lines made up of our grandparents and parents who had outwitted apartheid – not without sacrifice – and patiently waited to cast their first ever ballot in the land of their birth. 

There was much to celebrate, much to expect and much promised.  We boast a lauded constitution but its promises of equality, dignity and human rights are far from being realized. 

Every indicator tells that the country we breathed into life with that first vote, thirty years ago, is yet to come of age. Unemployment is at a staggering 32.1% (Stats SA, Q4: 2023). The latest crime statistics tell us that the police are losing the war against crime, with more citizens falling victim  to violent crime, especially murder and attempted. And then, there is that ultimate indictment on our society, one that should keep every decent human being awake at night.

South Africans are poor and hungry and sinking further into poverty, measured by four indicators; health, education, living standards and economic activity.  We are not sharp sharp!  

We keep scoring own goals, as articulated by Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London,  Professor Adam Habib, in the first episode of Reality Check. He reminded us of the ridiculous situation wherein South Africa sits with 800 unemployed doctors who are sitting at home “but at the same time, all of the cars and all of the protection for politicians, all of the wastage of money of the national government. It’s all working. So don't tell me, this is a question of money. So the real question becomes a question of priority and that's what this election is fundamentally about."

So what do we do? With all of this malaise, why is voting and participatory democracy not seen as a chance to show the powers that be, the middle finger, which they fully deserve? 

Dan Corder, a young, strident political commentator and 5fm DJ, reckons it is not just the ruling ANC that must take the blame. Across the political spectrum, “We have a talentless political system right now. We have opposition parties who can’t take advantage of starting 80m ahead in a 100m race. Because that’s what the ANC has given them.”

There are new kids on the block in this election. A record number of parties and independents will contest the election. With 30 new  political formations, the ballot will read like a long Shakespearean tale, “full of sound and fury.” But unlike Shakespeare’s lament, we must make the poll count.

It must signify something. If people stay away from the polls, esteemed academic, Dr Sthembele Mbete warns "then each of those parties - the 2 biggest parties that we have in the system, get a bigger chunk of the pie. It benefits the established parties.” That is the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance. Sober now?

I am going to vote because these elections, more than any other, seem to suggest that globally, democracy is on the ballot. I will join four billion people in 76 nations, the most of any year on record, who will make their voice heard in the exercise of democracy.

Nerves are frail. Hate, war, fascism, fake news and unsavoury ‘leaders’ are getting on my tits. I must find a way to show them the middle finger. I am inspired by renowned anti-apartheid jurist, Albie Sachs, who reminded us on Reality Check, that our system is not perfect but “it survived and it is working. To get a change in the presidency, you don’t have to send tanks into the streets, you don’t need a million people into the square, you can simply use your right to vote. What was said to be impossible in South Africa and in Africa, is to have democracy that functions, that votes and voting is meaningful." 

The first episode of Reality Check featured Justice Albie Sachs, Mbali Ntuli, Dr Sithembile Mbete, Zulaikha Patel, Dan Corder, Lesego Thlabi, Kate Stegeman, Prof Adam Habib, Khaya Sithole, Jan Bond and Jodi Allemeier.

Join the second episode of Reality Check, as we confront threats to democracy the world over. Does voting matter? (live this Thurs 22 February 2024 at 6.30pm) featuring Andrew Feinstein, Qaanitah Hunter, Lebo Ramafoko, Tessa Dooms, Inge Herbert, Mitchelle Mhaka.

On the third episode on Thurs 29 February 2024, Redi and her co-host Ben Cashdan talk to political parties, especially the new kids on the block in the upcoming elections.

The Reality Check elections conversations are a partnership between The Big Debate, News24 and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.