Where to from here?

By Wandisa Ntengeto

Elections have passed and now the concern has turned to the future of South Africa. Uncertainty is among the many words used to describe South Africa’s future.

This year, the African National Congress won the votes of 11.4 million voters nationally and secured a total of 249 seats in parliament. Even though this may be a victory for the party and its supporters, this year’s votes have declined by nearly 3% compared to those of the 2009 election.

Out of the 18.4 million votes cast, the Democratic Alliance got a 4 million cut out of the election pie. They secured a total of 89 seats in parliament.

The new kid on the block, The Economic Freedom Fighters climbed their way to the top three with a 1.1 million victory nationally; leaving well established parties behind in the race. The EFF managed to secure 25 seats in parliament.

Siphesihle Matyila, 21, a Mdantsane resident says change is needed in South Africa because the government that has been in power for 20 years has failed the people.

“ I have no faith in our government because their main priority is themselves. Now that elections have gone we will be forgotten.”  said Matyila.

In 2009,among the many issues that government promised to deal with were the following : 

-housing

-education

-job creation

-improvement in health department

-eradication of poverty

So what we have to ask now is - where are we today with these issues?

Nothembeka Makana,65, a Duncan Village resident explains that the last time she saw change was during Mandela’s era. She expressed disappointment in the Mbeki and Zuma administrations.

“ Prior to the 2009 elections we were promised houses, my grandchildren were told they would get free education but nothing has changed. Party officials come to us before elections and tell us all these good things that will happen when we vote them in power but after we cast our vote they keep quiet and play dead.” Said Makana

According to President Jacob Zuma’s State of the nation address delivered early this year:

”Jobs are now being created again. There are now 15 million people with jobs in the country, the highest ever in our history, and over 650 thousand jobs were created last year, according to Stats SA. This is still not good enough. The unemployment rate still remains high. Youth unemployment in South Africa continues to be of concern, as it is throughout the world,”  said President Zuma

Aneziwe Sogoni, 35,Mount Frere resident said that she has been unemployed for the past 8 years. She explains that jobs have been promised but nothing is happening.

“ I am not a lazy person. I have been searching all over for jobs even those that seem small. During electioneering, parties came to us and gave us the same promises. What are we to do now? Our votes have come to waste.” said Sogoni.

President Zuma said they had created 3,7 million work opportunities over the past five years and they have created a public works programme, which they use to seek formal employment.

The issue at hand is how the government will help improve the current state of the country. Elections have passed and people have voted for the party that will strive towards a better South Africa. Where to from here?

Dumped ballot papers: Are elections really free and fair?

By Nompumelelo Kubheka

The Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) motto is “Ensuring free and fair elections”. One of their values is “Transparency”. So, are the dumped ballot papers found in Alexandra and Diepsloot in Johannesburg as well as Lynnwood in Pretoria part of the IEC’s values and Motto?

The dumped ballot boxes found on the 8^th of May, post elections were apparently in the favour of the DA.

The discoveries caused a flutter on social media sites. Comments such as “The beloved ANC is always a suspect” and “Dumped ballot papers? What happened to honesty? The DA is obviously a threat” were made by angry DA supporters.

The IEC’s chief electoral officer, Masotho Moepya said that the discovery did not equate to an irregularity. He said ballots were counted in front of party officials from all involved parties at the voting stations. The party representatives then signed ballot slips to confirm the number of votes counted for their party before the slip was taken to a local counting centre.

Although the ballots had been counted, was it fair for them to be dumped in public for every voter to see? Were the DA supporters not put in danger of possible violence outrages?

Moepya further said that the IEC does not encourage people to mislay ballots. The ballots could have been stolen from where they were stored or possibly fell from a truck that was delivering them.

DA leader, Helen Zille’s response to Moepya’s statement was that the mislaying of the ballot papers was certainly not conducive to public confidence in a free and fair election. She added that it was worrying that the IEC appeared not to be able to transport ballot papers properly and that ballot papers landed up on the street. They need to be stored should a recount be required.

A similar incident took place again in Alexandra where IFP supporters held hostage a group of ANC agents after ballot boxes from the Women for Peace voting station were apparently loaded into a strange car.

Whether the ballots were stolen or really mislaid we will never know. However, we know that it was a matter of irresponsibility. I personally hope that the iec does something to prevent such incidents from happening in future and that elections be really free and fair.

25 chances for change or 25 opportunities to destroy?

By Sbongakonke Mbatha

 

After 20 years of democracy South Africa saw rise to infant political parties like the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) amongst many.

Potential game changers?

All forms of communication gave way to new players on the tracks. After that we witnessed what most political analysts considered to be the most contested general elections in the history of our democracy. South Africa’s fifth general elections were a sprint to the finish where all parties campaigned tirelessly to be crowned victors.

Amongst the infant contenders, the EFF, led by the highly vocal Julius Malema, shocked masses when it emerged as the third most popular party after the ANC and the DA.

When one recalls Malema’s bitter break up with the ANC, one of the questions that would surface amongst many would be: Who would have thought?

Really, who would have?

It is true that time is the most powerful storyteller because our reality is nothing we ever imagined. Nobody thought that the controversial former African National Congress Youth League leader would cause such a stir in the political sphere so shortly after his expulsion.

Many had drawn the conclusion that Malema was just making angry threats, blowing hot air and throwing tantrums like a woman scorned by an undeserving lover.

What seemed like a bitter revenge strategy has earned the EFF 25 seats in parliament.

Is Malema still trying to settle a score with President Jacob Zuma at the expense of all those who voted for him? Or does he genuinely have a vision for a better South Africa, or better yet, was he just looking for a proper position for his idea for change to materialize?

Looking at the long and very controversial campaign tracks that led to the elections finish line, there was one strong EFF weapon that many failed to pay attention to. Under those red barrets were young faces.

Jackpot!

It is one recipe that gave this eight month old party political status, giving opposition parties a run for their money.

Malema cultivated a clever strategy of mobilizing the young, unemployed and frustrated. He tapped into a youth that sees no future and are without jobs.

Does South Africa need Malema leadership? How will this country benefit from Malema leadership that seems to have no stem of political support? Did he bite more than he can chew?

In an article posted by SowetanLive (online), a female EFF activist from Marikana has been selected as one of the party’s parliamentarians because she mobilized the Marikana locals and miners in support of the party. This woman used to live in a corrugated iron shack and these are some of the benefits she will enjoy once in position:

-          R80 000 salary per month

-          Free accommodation

-          Free flights to attend parliament

To my surprise the masses support this. “Viva parliament of the people viva”, are the exact words that echo. What does this mean for parliament? Entertainment of mediocrity?

Malema is making a lot of changes; rebellious actions to prove his point and expose how wrong those in governance are. It looks like parliamentary status is slowly being weakened seeing that such appointments are being made and EFF leader appears in parliament wearing overalls and carrying the correct articulation to justify his dress code. 

Questions. Bulks of questions. I give Malema 25 chances to answer me.

Voting for change yet not changing the vote.

By Chanté Petersen

  

Marking 20 years of democracy, there is little surprise as the African National Congress retains it’s 60% of the vote in the fifth general elections.

The picture makes a slight change in political-hue provincially, as the Congress of the People (COPE) becomes the official opposition to none. 

‘There were over a million people who voted for COPE in 2009, but where did they go?’ question raised by Daily Mavericks, Stephen Grootes. 

Although the 2009 figure came about in a political scene in which the Economic Freedom Fighters and AgangSA did not yet officially exist, COPE did. 

‘The more time you spend fighting each other for control, the less successful you will be. COPE is going to be written-up as the textbook case of that’, Grootes continued. 

While the Democratic Alliance may have claimed some of these voters, others may have shut themselves off into the world of non-voters and the last few may in no doubt have turned to EFF and AgangSA.  

COPE was not the only political party to experience fundamental change. The ANC seemed to have lost some popularity as it lost about three percent of votes.  In 2009, the ANC got 65.9% but now it looks as though the current stats will remain around 63%. 

With the ANC leading, the DA is up around seven percent. Although a dynamic with a long way to go, it is one with a clearly gaining momentum. Grootes also explains that if the DA gains seven percent now, it could gain far more in the elections of 2019. ‘Of course, that depends on whether a worker’s party is formed by then, because that will present people with genuinely different choices to the ones they faced this election’. 

There seemed to be a lack of eagerness in voter turnout for these elections. At the time of writing, the turnout stood at 72.61% and counting. This is said to be a good figure for a young democracy. ‘Barack Obama was elected in the USA with a voter turnout of only 57.5%, only being the highest in the USA since 1968’, writes Grootes. 

But I wonder, as to how voters are casting their votes. While they call for great change, majority seem to be keeping the ball of democracy in the hands of the same political players. 

It has been written that FW De Klerk based his decision on which party to vote for on ‘four tests’: who to trust with the constitution and the rule of law, an economic policy best ensuring economic growth and job creation, and based on which party is the most non-racial and has the best track record on corruption. 

Does this support that most of South Africa believes in the ANC as the ruling party to best trusted with the South African constitution and rule of law or because a violent past, are voters simply playing it safe? 

A first-time ‘eligible’ voter says she voted simply to keep the ANC-ruling party out of the Western Cape. While another says voting DA creates a strong opposition as it is needed to keep the ruling party under pressure to ensure performance. 

ENCA analyst Angelo Fick, said when the first results from Mount Ayliff in the Eastern Cape were announced, ‘one had to admire those individuals who cast their votes for the smaller parties’. He continues, wondering where everyone within that community knows who these smaller parties are. ‘If one party gains 148 votes and the next popular party get five, one wonders what factors have led to this conformity? 

“The winning party in such a place will claim that it is a true reflection of their popularity and success, and of the loyalty and gratitude of members. But in modernity, communities thrive on varieties of opinion and belief whether in matters of culture or politics”. 

With little surprise in any radical change from South Africa voters, an ANC online-response believes people vote ANC because ‘behind the scandal and media bias, they are the party that works to advance the struggle of the poor’. Also stating that whether we ‘admit it or not’, life is better because of the ANC and whilst there are many problems, that remains the bottom line‘. 

Perhaps the beauty of politics is that it is experienced differently by different people. One’s perception of the world is not the lived reality of millions of people in this country. 

But throughout all levels of reality, one paradigm should be made apparent: while inching towards a 25-year mark in democracy, we should want nothing less than a political ruling party we trust with the young democratic constitution and the rule of law of South Africa. 

We must keep in mind that people suffered to reach such a diplomatic solution, and that the 1994 election eradicated a brutal state of apartheid.

Is the country ready for Malema’s leadership?

By Noxolo Nhlangothi

Until recently, it looked like the Democratic Alliance was giving the governing party; the ANC tight competition. 

But now, after checking the latest updates on the voting results, it seems the tables are slowly turning. Malema’s EFF keeps growing rapidly and a few (including I) have been shocked.

When Julius Malema first introduced his party to the country it appeared to most as a joke or a an attention seeking. That is the way it appeared, especially after he had been kicked out of the ANC. So to most the EFF seemed like it was a party was destined to die in no time due to lack of support. 

The latest results are suprising. So far, Malema and the DA are head to head for the number two spot. Who would have imagined this change? This can only mean that young people have been supporting Julius secretly and did not show it all along.

In the recent party manifestos, thousands of young people have been showing up to show their support for Julius. I am sure the ANC feels that they shot themselves in the foot when they suspended him. 

No one can deny that Malema has a fiery character, no one deny that he has no respect for most our leaders, but can the ANC deny him his right to dream? 

Why is it wrong for him to make promises to change the country like other parties have done and still continue doing? What setbacks can he bring that we haven’t received from other parties? 

Malema like any other party leaders believes in his party. He says the party will exist for the next 100 years. He promises what most others are promising us but in his own ‘Juju style’ . 

His party advert was banned in April by the SABC because it was claimed that it incited violence for demanding - “Destroy e-toll”. The SABC felt that this statement would incite violence. 

Most people doubt that he can lead; most citizens have similar questions and uncertainty regardless of his determination. 

Is this country ready for a Malema type of leadership? Do South Africans really vote because they like the party, leader or their promises? How do we kill our fears and insecurities completely and stop fearing what we do not know?

Who do I vote for? Seven possible answers

By Lynn Butler

Some youth have isolated themselves from this upcoming election, however for those who have registered; they are burdened with a frustrating question, “Who do I vote for?”

Unlike the older generation, who have set ties with various parties, the born-frees have fresh perspectives on the current and future state of South Africa.

“Why should I vote for you? What will you do for me?” These are some questions that remain relatively unanswered and as the 7^th of May draws closer. Some of these questions some are still untouched by any of the parties contesting elections.

Here are seven political parties out of 152 registered parties that may provide something for you:

·         African National Congress (ANC)

The ANC’s aims to create jobs, 9 million work opportunities will be set aside with 80% of those going to the unemployed youth.

Over the next five years, the ANC has committed itself to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. They will open two new universities and will ensure the progressive realisation of free education at all levels. The ANC will also introduce compulsory community service to all graduates. For the full manifesto, visit their site: http://www.anc.org.za/2014/manifesto/

·         Democratic Alliance (DA)

The DA will create 1 million internships by working with businesses across the country. They will use the Youth Wage Subsidy to encourage businesses to appoint dedicated youth who need job experience.

In addition, the government will also provide at least 20 000 government internships every year.

The DA will reinstate the Narcotics Bureau and will save R30 billion per year by cutting corruption and firing those accountable. The DA's manifesto is to half unemployment over the next ten years by creating jobs from up to 6 million.

For the full manifesto, visit their site: http://www.da.org.za/docs/15689/DA%20Manifesto%202014.pdf

·         Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)

The EFF's vision aims to create sustainable jobs. They will take a minimum of 15 000 students to the best universities around the world annually, creating a sponsorship which will benefit South Africa in the future.

The EFF estimates that they will increase the number of students by 100% within five years by making a massive investment in post secondary education and training capacity. They will also create employment and increase minimum wages for all, especially miners. For the full manifesto, visit their site: http://effighters.org.za/election-manifesto/

·         Agang SA

Agang SA manifesto professes to accomplish free education for all and says that this could be done if the government curbed its spending.

They have also promised to fight corruption among public servants and hold those accountable for their actions.

Job creation is seen as a reality with health, safety and security becoming a priority. Agang SA will stop BBEE as it has brought more inequality into South Africa.

They will introduce a 50% minimum pass mark for all subjects and grades. Agang will also provide bursaries for students who achieve 70% or higher to motivate and encourage students. For the full manifesto, visit their site:  http://agangsa.org.za/pages/election-manifesto

·         Abolition of Income Tax and Usury Party (AITUP)

The Abolition of Income Tax and Usury Party promises to give no taxation of income as everyone will have abundance of local skills, expertise and the fundamental wealth of this country.

They would are in favour of the reintroduction of the death penalty as an interim measure to convicted murders, rapists and drug dealers. They will also provide free electricity for all and schooling until the age of 16 will be compulsory and free. For the full manifesto, visit their site: http://www.abolishtax.org.za/

·         Congress of the People (COPE)

COPEs manifest is to ensure that every Municipality has an FET College and also setting a benchmark for ICT literacy for educators and learners, which will empower e-learning. They will also lower the rate of learners to teachers, which will improve quality of education and create job employment.

Government clinics should be available for 24 hours in designated rural areas to improve accessibility. COPE will also re-introduce specialised police units and will downsize the government so that its resources can be redirected towards the economy. For the full manifesto, visit their site: http://www.congressofthepeople.org.za/uploads/files/Final_COPE_MANI.pdf 

·         Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)

The IFP employ a zero tolerance policy on corruption and will prosecute the guilty individuals by ensuring that they serve full sentences.

They will establish Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to help rural communities to become self-sustainable and initiate low tax investment zones in those areas to stimulate growth and development.

The IFP supports tertiary education and will allocate money for accommodation, scholarships, bursaries and loans. They will also provide more opportunities for matriculates and graduates by funding more apprenticeships especially students in rural communities.

For the full manifesto, visit their site: http://www.ifp.org.za/2014/manifesto.html

Although each and every party has their own message and belief, it’s important that we, as youth, realise that this is our future.

Whether or not they will deliver on these principles, it is important that we start to see the importance of politics; which is always combined with our future in South Africa. This is our vote, our voice, and this is our time to make a difference in our country.

On Sunday, the 4^th of May, President Jacob Zuma (ANC), Helen Zille (DA) and Julius Malema (EFF) will appear on a one-hour election special, where the politicians will be face-to-face with the youth. This TV special will encourage young South Africans to vote and there will be discussions of issues surrounding and involving the youth. The programme will start 18:00 CAT on MTV and MTV Base (DStv Channel 130 and 322).

National Elections 2014 – Will there be a Good Story to Tell?

There is no doubt in my mind that for a 20 year old democracy, South Africa has come a long way. 

The new South Africa adopted an indebted economy, socio-economic inequalities, poverty stricken communities, as well as large amounts of black people seeking vengeance for the injustices of apartheid.

We are now heading towards one of the most interesting elections of our young democracy.

The country is celebrating 20years of democracy, the ‘born-frees’ (those born in 1994) are voting for the first time, and various political parties slander each other with every ounce of power they have each week, so this year’s election promises to be a very interesting in terms of the outcome.

The reason why these elections are intensely contested is because many South Africans are disgruntled with the current ruling party.

For the past five years, many of the progressive economic, social and educational transformations that have been implemented by the African National Congress (ANC) have been counteracted by the scandals that its politicians and public officials have been dragged into.

From the fallen police commissioner Jackie Selebi, Shabir Shaik, Justice Moeng Moeng, corruption within the government, Marikana massacre, up to President Zuma’s “gallons” of misconducts, and inability to lead righteously; the list is endless.

Above all, because of the malfunctions of the authority of this country, the image of South Africa has been tainted. Also, many South Africans have been losing jobs rapidly. The latter however, is not entirely the government’s fault; the global economic recession has played a role in the country’s inability to create job opportunities.

Furthermore, the ANC dug itself a “hell-hole” when it decided to no longer be-friend its radical soldier, Julius Malema in Novemeber 2011. 

Simply because Malema is a bull that does not succumb to rules and bureaucracy, as a result, Malema did not take his suspension well, to the extent that he felt the need to lash back at his elders within the ANC – especially Pres. Zuma, calling him out as a “traitor”.

Since then, Malema has formed his own political party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to challenge the ruling party’s dominance.

In my view, Malema brought a highly needed form of radical action against the ruling party in this country, which has rattled the ANC.  For example, shortly after the Marikana tragedy, Malema took the opportunity of winning the confidence of the destitute miners, their families and the youth he led while still with the ANC Youth League.

As a result of this, the black voters in this country are hugely divided or spread among the many parties; EFF, AGANGSA, UDM, IFP, COPE and many more.

My concern however is the youth and where their vote lies. From my peers I have heard a lot of doubtful and confused voices, to a point where these so-called ‘born-frees’ boycotted the voting registration and will thus not be voting.

Last week, COSATU secretary-general, Zwelinzima Vavi claimed on an election debate that only 22% of the two-million 18-19 year old registered to vote in the general elections.

This fact is quite alarming for a country that brags to be the youngest progressive democracy on the continent, especially with the fact that the youth of this country is the biggest population-wise.

So I guess the question, as May 7^th draws close to us, is, will the lack of young voters or born-frees impact South Africa’s highly contested elections in the history of democracy?

By Sisipho Skweyiya

Opinion Piece

Who Cares About Politics?

By: Kgowa Tiragalo

For so long, I did not care about politics. Just recently  realized that politics is and will always be part of our lives. I also realized that these people (politicians) are making decisions on or behalf. In the next paragraphs, I discuss my observations as far as South African politics is concerned. Bare in mind that the discussion my be confusing to some of the readers as writer is also confused. Truth be told, politics is very confusing.

For a long time, our people (Blacks) lived under the oppression of other races. in South Africa, we have different political parties who joined hands during that time of oppression to liberate the people. During the first democratic elections in 1994 the African National Congress(ANC) emerged victorious. It is a good thing to know that these political parties managed to liberate the country. Sometimes I get scared to know that this political party cadres have the mentality of dictatorship. We often hear statements like " ANC will rule till the second coming of Jesus".

Well they say this as if they are joking but what will happen if it really looses the upcoming national elections?

With the date of the national elections approaching, politicians showcase unusual behaviors: violence and all sorts of accusations. Yes! for some, this may be the interesting part of politic because they would have something to talk about during their  social gatherings and on their way to their workplaces etc. For some, it gets scary because they fear civil war.

The mentality of ruling forever breeds strange behaviors in most of our politicians.
With the national elections approaching in South Africa, what I can sense is: TENSION! TENSION!

What are your thoughts regarding the current political situation in your country?