This time next week we’ll be performing the greatest action any functioning democracy requires of its citizenry, free and fair elections where all eligible voters can have a say as to who should represent them in local councils.
Yes, after next week we won’t have to listen to endless campaign rhetoric, foot in mouth statements and backtracking from political parties, nor will we have to hear how much better one party is compared to the other.
What will transpire will probably involve a lot of jostling for power and kingmaking as coalitions and minority governing may come into play.
In an election news roundup, Justice Malala writes in Sunday Times Daily (Register to read) about the electioneering tactics from political parties during the run-up to elections. Malala describes the road he grew up on and how mismanaged it has been for years and years only for it to be miraculously worked on and fixed with election day a week away.
“I cannot tell you how much cynicism there is in this village about the road. Not many in the village can say who is responsible for the road, but about one thing they are clear: politicians are playing cynical games.”
In Business Day (Subscribe to read), Michael Morris writes that Cyril Ramaphosa is by far the most popular politician in the country but the president needs to start implementing his words into action after decades of stalled plans. Morris points to the fact that Ramaphosa has been stumping the same speech since at least 1996 and if South Africans are waiting for change to come in their local municipalities, they may be waiting a while longer.
Adriaan Basson writes that “where the DA governs, municipal finances, services and infrastructure are in a much better condition than in places the ANC and IFP rule.” Basson is basing his statement on News24’s Out of Order Index. But if the DA clearly runs municipalities better than other political parties why aren’t more people backing South Africa’s largest opposition party? Read Basson’s News24 piece (Subscribe to read) to gain an understanding of the DA’s trust and identity issues.
Here’s what else you need to know today:
Susan Booysen | Pledges by ANC candidates miss the mark after the party’s many shortcomings – Daily Maverick
Subesh Pillay | Steenhuisen should also be thrown off the cliff for that interview – Sunday Times
Andrew Craker | Four ways to rebuild SA — and all require new levels of trust – Business Day
Hugh Corder | Why SA needs a strong, courageous and dedicated chief justice – Financial Mail
Liteboho Makhele | South African cities must put green infrastructure firmly on the urban agenda – Mail & Guardian
Natale Labia | Global capitalism is being hoisted by its own supply chains – Daily Maverick
Lionel Laurent | What’s Fueling Bitcoin’s Ride? It’s More FOMO Than Inflation – Fin24/Bloomberg
