Back to Basics

Politics is often called “the dirtiest profession in the world”, where corruption and deceit are considered constant characteristics. There have been rare occasions in the recent past when politics brought hope to people across the country and the world; however the successes and positives that emerge from politics are often overshadowed by the disappointments and negatives that have become a mainstay in contemporary politics. Whether it’s politicians caught engaging in extramarital activities or politicians caught taking kickbacks, selfish and corrupt individuals have repeatedly tainted the image of the profession and seemingly lost sight of their main goal of serving their constituents.


The ancient Greeks did not conceive the idea of politics to promote self-gain and self-aggrandizement; nor did they imagine a system in which some could be wealthier and better off than others. The foundation of politics is the idea of creating a better life for all. Whilst corruption and self-promotion have become fixtures of this noble profession over the years, the basic foundation of politics should never take a backseat in the vehicle of human development.

The rush for personal ascendency in the political sphere is paired with intemperate and discourteous language. While we laugh at people like Julius Malema and shake our heads at some of the arguments and the tone of the rhetoric passed between political parties, we should not encourage the notion that this manner of debate is acceptable or tolerable. Uncivil discourse and threats of violence by prominent politicians are not going to help anyone and should have no place in national debates.

Some say that the political system is against change and that nothing can be done to shift bureaucratic policies which have been in place for decades. Red tape and obfuscation have become common fixtures in the lives of the disinherited and disenfranchised who do not enjoy the privilege of an education and access to unlimited resources.

Robert Kennedy once said, “The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike, timid and fearful in the face of bold projects and new ideas." This is as true today as it was in 1966 when Kennedy said it, for there are many injustices in the world, but the first step to correcting these injustices is to speak out. In my view it is unconscionable and improper to be content or joyous when other people still suffer in this country, across this continent and in other parts of the world.

The disparity in wealth and accessibility to resources in this country is shameful and disgraceful. Whilst it is true that not everyone shares the same skills or is gifted the same opportunities, something must be done to correct social imbalances that allow some to enjoy Blue Flag beaches, five star hotels and luxurious cars whilst others languish in abject poverty, live in structures that barely provide shelter and risk illness with every sip of water from unsafe sources.

It is therefore incumbent upon educated, better off citizens and those in power to do all they can to assist the disadvantaged. This assistance, however, cannot and should not be disguised in grants that promote the idea of a welfare state in a country that admittedly has a small tax base. The government should not promote the idea that idle citizens who are able and capable of working can get paid for sitting at home and doing nothing. Incentives must be provided for those who want to and can work and assessment structures should be put in place to route out those who are capable yet prefer to live off the government without any plan to gain employment.

There is no doubt that in South Africa one cannot discuss politics without discussing race, for the history of the country that helped shape today’s politicians is dominated by race and racism. Like it or not, race is still a big issue in South African life and will continue to be so for years to come until greater equality between races is achieved.

I do not profess to be an expert on transformation, BEE or Affirmative Action, but there is no doubt that they are necessary policies to level a playing field that for many years was unfairly tipped. There are continued debates to be had about the precise means of implementing these policies and their effectiveness, but there is no doubt in my mind that they are relevant and necessary regardless of the arguments made by some academics.

Some argue that the domination of the ANC has stunted politics and will have a negative effect on the country in the long term. This is probably partly as a result of the electoral system of proportional representation which, in my opinion, does not cater enough to the electorate and does not provide enough accountability controls to the voters. Whatever the ANC’s failings, it remains the only party in the country ready to govern. And if the goal of a better life for all is ever to be achieved, more must be done by those in power to clean up the image of politicians and reignite the idea that government primarily exists for the purpose of improving and assisting its people. There is a Latin saying which best sums up the approach which must be adopted by government and people in positions of power: “u pluribus Unum”, meaning “out of many, one” – one people enjoying equal opportunities and equal wealth.


Written by Tatenda Goredema, the Deputy Editor of Varsity Newspaper at UCT.