Democracy’s third leg decidedly wobbly
CHRIS Barron’s article “It’s time for truth or consequences” (November 20) adds to the narrative of what it will take for South Africa to emerge from the morass into which it has fallen and become the fully functioning democracy to which it aspires.
In her recently published autobiography, Not Without a
Fight, Western Cape premier Helen Zille identifies the three legs of the democratic tripod as being the rule of law, a capable state and accountability.
Together with the nowretired public protector, Thuli Madonsela, the justices of the Constitutional Court and the judiciary generally, this country has been blessed with responsible people who are ensuring that the rule of law is being respected, even if severely tested.
Writing about the auditorgeneral, Kimi Makwetu, and his office, Barron emphasises the necessity for accountability to be present not only at the top but throughout all levels of society — in particular the monopolistic public sector, where there are few commercial sanctions to enforce ethical behaviour.
He argues that the present auditor-general is setting a good example in that regard.
Regrettably, the third leg of our tripod is decidedly wobbly.
With the incumbent president desperately seeking to avoid his previously cherished “day in court”, and with cadre deployment and affirmative action being scarcely concealed proxies for nepotism, cronyism and job reservation for so many corrupt and undercapacitated party members, it is clear the advent of the capable state is not imminent.
Which is why the recent local government elections, with the transfer of power in the Tshwane, Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay municipalities, have raised the hope of the nation that the national and provincial elections of 2019 will herald the arrival of the capable state, enabling South Africa to get back on course, revitalise its economy and again move forward to restore the employment, education, health and basic service outcomes we need to be a successful democracy. — Bill Gould, East London