Promises are no longer enough, real change is needed

The 2014 elections are about service delivery and the ability to perform and address the needs of the people. On 31 January, the IFP President, Mangosuthu Buthelezi visited the community of Mitchell’s Plain to listen to the grievances of the people. The Mitchell’s Plain community in attendance highlighted their concerns which included, old age pensions, crime and jobs, however, Buthelezi did not reflect on these complaints. On 16 March, the DA leader, Helen Zille visited the 500 new supporters to the party in Itsoseng, North West. During this time, Zille posted an online photograph of herself stirring a traditional pot, while wearing a blue dashiki and a headscarf. Zille’s photograph received a mixed response on Twitter. An independent political analyst, Dr Somadoda Fikeni said "It’s noted that she (Zille) makes appearances in traditional clothes during the season of campaigning and when that is gone it's back to normal". On 31 March, President Jacob Zuma visited Sabu's Place, a Gugulethu bar, where he played a round of pool with locals. One resident, Thobeka Mabija, said his visit was an opportunity to discuss problems facing Gugulethu, such as gangsterism, and she was happy that the President interacted with the community though she was not certain whether this interaction would bring any change.

Political parties should be careful not to assume that the public will be swayed simply by their visibility and promises during election times. Thabani Khumalo, writer and communicator, noted already in 2009 that 'the words "election" or "voting" evoke images of long queues and empty promises'. He cautioned that people were losing faith in politics. Various scandals involving political parties or government over the past five years have only served to solidify this lost faith. This reality will surely have an impact on how people will vote in the upcoming elections. Notably, former Intelligence Minister, Ronnie Kasrils, along with some high-profile signatories, has launched Vukani Sidikiwe (Wake up, we are fed-up) campaign calling on South Africans to either spoil their ballot or vote for a minority party.

At a roundtable discussion late last year on the "Political Climate in the run-up to the 2014 elections”, Prof Robert Mattes stated that most South Africans are not fully aware of what opposition political parties stand for. This lack of awareness by the public speaks to political parties not being visible in communities between election periods. The lack of visibility in communities may erode public trust and confidence in political representatives. Mattes noted that political parties should not wait for the election to connect with the public. University of the Western Cape political studies lecturer, Dr Cherrell Africa, agreed and cautioned that voters do not necessarily wait until the elections to evaluate parties, voters evaluate political parties on a continual basis. It is thus possible to say that the high visibility of political parties just before elections will not necessarily translate into an increase in their share of the popular vote. Voters vote based on party and government performance over time.

Socio-political analyst, Zweli Mncube, says the last time politicians visited certain areas was before the 2009 elections and he believes the increase in service delivery protests across the country is a sign that people are tired of election promises. The outcome of the 2014 general elections and the support political parties receive will reveal the level of trust and confidence the electorate has in them to deliver on their promises.

The South African Institute of Race Relations says Gauteng has had about 500 protests since the beginning of 2014 and at least 20% were violent. The Independent Online, in a November 2013 article, "Why our townships are burning", states that service delivery protest is an indication that the public is growing impatient with the ANC and its loss of touch with its voters, as many communities lack basic services such as water and proper sanitation facilities. Prof Mattes has pointed out that where the public is dissatisfied with the ANC they tend to abstain from voting, rather than vote for another party.

However, with the presence of new political parties, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Agang SA, led by heavyweights, expelled ANC youth leader, Julius Malema and academic and anti-apartheid activist Mamphela Ramphele, the disgruntled and undecided electorate do have more voting options.

However, Minister Blade Nzimande, in April's Umsebenzi Online, has criticised opposition parties and the media who "are more informed by an agenda to dislodge the ANC from power than on how to build a better South Africa, especially for the overwhelming majority of South Africans". Casting stones at the ruling party will not necessarily ensure a greater share of the vote for political parties. All political parties need to sustain engagement with communities, in order to maintain public confidence. The Times Live 25 February editorial, "South Africa is tired of empty promises from all the parties", cautions that "politics of insults should be a thing of the past. Let's discuss real issues" and cautioned that broken promises become lies.

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