On Wednesday South Africans head to the polls to choose a new government for the next five years. This seventh national election is historic in that it comes in the year of our 30th anniversary of freedom from apartheid, a year in which more than 60 countries, from Taiwan and Pakistan to the US and the UK, have held or will hold elections.
Our 2024 election represents the maturing of our democracy and underlines South Africans’ continuing commitment to political change by peaceful means, something that should not be taken for granted.
The poll is remarkable also because, according to various opinion surveys, the ANC, which has won all national elections so far, may for the first time lose its absolute majority, thus its ability to form a government on its own. There can be no denying that in the three decades of freedom, the ANC has been the dominant force in our politics.
The party’s track record has been a mixed bag. While overall South Africa is a better country than it was before 1994 — most notably, formal race discrimination against black South Africans has ended and measures to make our society more equitable have been introduced — much still needs to be done. Among the setbacks are lack of economic growth, intolerably high unemployment levels, rising crime and corruption and a deterioration in national infrastructure, including, but not limited to, the ports, roads and electricity grid.
And so on Wednesday South Africans have a vital opportunity to make a crucial intervention — by choosing a political party or independent candidate they believe will change things for the better. With a record number of parties competing, the introduction of independents and three ballot papers to mark, it may seem like a daunting task.
But ignore the campaign noise of the past several months. It is our view that the best lodestar in deciding who to support is our constitution and its values, not the often short-term and self-serving promises of politicians.
In adopting the constitution, we collectively committed ourselves to the healing of past divisions and a society based on democratic values, social justice and basic human rights; the laying of foundations for a democratic and open society; a government based on the will of the people, with every citizen protected by law; a better quality of life for all and the chance for everyone to realise their full potential; and the forging of a united, democratic South Africa, able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations.
When casting our votes we have to consider whether the party or independent we choose will advance the values enshrined in our constitution, or will hinder or undermine them
Therefore, when casting our votes we have to consider whether the party or independent candidate we choose will advance the values enshrined in our constitution, or will hinder or undermine them. An injudicious choice can result in a great deal of harm for the country, its people and its economy over the next five years.
Of course, the worth of an election lies in its universal acceptance as a true reflection of the will of all South Africans. The right of all citizens to vote and to be elected must be seen to have been exercised freely and without hindrance.
This brings into focus the role of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). To its credit the IEC has so far managed, despite the adversarial nature of elections and politics in general, to retain its reputation as an impartial organiser and referee of our elections. It is a reputation recognised internationally.
However, this year’s election run-up has created challenges for the commission’s efforts to maintain a reputation for neutrality, with some contestants casting aspersions and, as is their right, challenging its decisions in the courts. It therefore behoves the IEC to go out of its way not only to be fair, but to be seen by all politicians and citizens as an unbiased facilitator.
In particular, it should avoid any deed or word that could create the impression that it is opposed to a particular party or candidate. In short, its conduct must be beyond reproach.
The success of the elections also depends in large part on the security services, which must guarantee every voter is able to exercise their right without the threat of violence or intimidation. The police brass sought to reassure the nation that they are ready to deal with any eventuality. We expect them to make good on their promise.
The main responsibility in ensuring a dignified election falls squarely on the parties and candidates themselves, who must refrain from inflaming the emotions of their supporters. We urge them to count their words, even — or especially — in the face of provocation.
In the spirit of the electoral pledge they have taken, they have to abide by the election’s outcome. If they have a grievance, they should follow the clearly spelt-out process in the Electoral Act, or use the criminal justice system.
Just as the political parties and their leaders bear this grave responsibility, we citizens also have a crucial role to play: and that is to make the effort to go to the voting stations and cast our ballots.
After all, the point of an election is to establish the will of the citizenry; this is the only way we can influence whether our country stays on the path to becoming a great nation, based on its constitutional values and aspirations, or whether its potential is squandered.
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