Politicking in SA

Fair enough, for those of you out there who aren't political science buffs, this post may not appear all that interesting to you.

However, if you've ever had your heart strings plucked by disappointing politicians in your own country, then I implore you to read on.

Last week South Africans took to the polls to elect their local government. It was an interesting time for me as it offered a first-hand glimpse into SA politics and elections. Not surprisingly, they differ quite sharply from those in Canada.

The first (and most obvious) difference is that there exists a significant racial element here in regards to political parties and who-supports-what.

When Nelson Mandela was elected president back in 1994, he represented the African National Congress (ANC). This party held the hopes and dreams of an entire country. It was the democratic springboard from which an entire country rebounded from the racist days of apartheid. Most significantly, it gave voice to the black community in SA as Mandela was the first black ruler of the country in over three centuries.

At the time of Mandela's election, the ANC was backed by whites and blacks alike. It was a period of celebration that marked the end of an embarrassing era for SA. The majority of the country stood behind Mandela and his party's values of racial equality and a "rainbow nation" of one shared future.

Unfortunately, the ANC has done a 180 from those values of the past.

Since Mandela stepped down from office 1999, his decedents have done little to promote his message of peace, economic and racial equality, and national pride. Why? The answer lies, unfortunately, along racial lines.

The only real parliamentary opposition the ANC has is the Democratic Alliance (DA), headed by Helen Zille. She is white. And therein lies the rub.

For most blacks in SA, the ANC is not just an abstract political party that runs their country. It's a racial pillar that stakes out SA for the black community. They see the DA as being a "white party" that could potentially  marginalize them as they were pre-1994. To put it more simply, they are scared of having "the white man" back in power.

Which is understandable given everything they have fought for.

But the problem is that their fear of the DA results in a situation where people blindly vote in the ANC, regardless of how poorly they are preforming as a government. A lot of ANC supporters would rather support a failing black government than take their chances on a white one.

Of course, when it comes to politics, nothing is black and white (ha).

Things are much more complex than I have the time or space to delve into. But I think it's important to highlight the fact that SA could potentially regress as a country quite severely in the next 20 years if the racial lines dividing the DA/ANC debate are not resolved.

Because so long as they exist, the ANC will stay in power for the rest of time. South Africa is home to over 85% black citizens, many of which are not given the opportunity of proper education. This results in many blacks supporting the ANC based on racial reasons alone, without fully understanding the political ramifications of their vote.

The worst part is that the ANC knows this and thrives on it. Instead of shifting their campaign focus away from race, they inevitably always bring it to the forefront, knowing that it gives their party strength and momentum. They blatantly take advantage of the ignorance and fear of an entire racial group, parlaying it into their own personal success. It's just not right.

Democracy cannot function properly if its citizens are trapped in mentality where they vote for a party regardless of the party's performance. It leaves no space for accountability. It's no wonder governmental corruption flourishes in South Africa. Who wouldn't take advantage of a people that will re-elect you regardless of your actions??

And my oh my... does corruption exist here.

Most South Africans have paid off a cop. Ministers garner salaries of millions, meanwhile the people of their riding live on less than $1.50 a day. Nepotism is widespread, with high ranking government officials allowing their unqualified family members to hold prestigious positions.

The wife of South Africa's minister of security was found guilty of drug trafficking. The former Chief of Police was found guilty of corruption and sentenced to 15 years in jail. Recently, 400 000 civil servants were found to be getting welfare payments that they were not entitled to.

The housing minister admitted to 923 of his officials being involved in various scams, including one that allowed the sub-standard construction of homes for the poor, many of which ended up being unfit for human inhabitation. The president of SA, Jacob Zuma, himself has been brought to court over corruption charges in the past! He later got off due to a technicality in the reports.

The list goes on and on. But like I said, what can South Africans expect when the ANC is given a near-guaranteed re-election year after year?

Another few interesting tidbits of South African politics to nibble on:

• Voting days are public holidays so that everyone has a chance to get to the polls.

• In Canada, you must take down your advertising signs before the polls open. Here, there are no such laws. The elections have been over now for a week and there are still signs scattered everywhere. What an eyesore. 

• Parties aren't defined as being right or left-winged here. Back home there are the conservatives and the liberals, the republicans and democrats... but in SA, they don't have the luxury of debating philosophical and moral political issues. How can abortion rights and social programs come to the forefront of political debates when there are millions of people still living without running water and electricity?
  
  The platforms of the DA and ANC are mostly focussed on racial issues, anti-corruption, and competent service delivery (i.e. providing basic services for all South Africans).
  
  *Side note: a huge issue this election was the failure of the DA and ANC to provide sheltered toilet facilities for townships. The local governments built the toilets and plumbing, but then left them without any surrounding walls to speak of. Imagine your mother taking a poop outdoors, in the middle of your yard, completely out in the open! Deplorable. 

• The ANC does its best to keep its slimy, strong presence in the poorest black areas of the country. They even stand outside the poll booths offering people free t-shirts and other incentives if they vote ANC. Yep, there you have it folks: blatant bribery. 

• After casting their ballot, South Africans have their thumb nail stained in black ink to curb cases of re-voting. 

• Ballots are counted BY HAND!! Gah! This gives me a headache just thinking about the doors it opens in regards to corruption, error, and efficiency. 

• As a consequence of the previous point, election results are not available until days after the polls close. 

For all that I have brought up here, I realize that this post paints a decidedly negative picture of South African politics. The sad thing is -- it is what it is.

For as much progress as the ANC claims to currently be making, the facts speak for themselves. Each positive step forward doesn't really count when it is matched by five negative leaps backward.

Thoughts??