Only full participation can bring desired socio-political outcomes

COMMUNITIES across the globe face complex fiscal, social, political, economic, administrative, and management and technological challenges.

Reasons for this situation are varied: globalisation processes, influx of refugees running away from war-torn countries, undemocratic regimes, and religious and ethnic wars.

Lasting solutions to these challenges remain the responsibility of the citizens of each country.

South Africa also has its fair share of these challenges, added to which is the lack of interest in politics among professionals and educated people, as well as their low participation in public affairs and public administration.

Therefore, democratisation of State and society has not succeeded to address developmental challenges, and often citizens see the situation as a form of organised chaos.

Issues at Stake Democratisation of State and society has not succeeded to address developmental challenges, argues CHRIS MKHIZE

Do elite groups think they have a legitimate reason to complain about political role-players in our country when they play no recognisable part in the country’s development processes?

Better management of democracy starts at the point of entry into an organisation.

If an organisation fails to recruit or promote personnel on merit, it will find it difficult or even impossible to renew or rebuild the organisation.

To an extent, capabilities of personnel within an organisation depend on one or more of the following:

• Ability to analyse and provide solutions to identified socioeconomic challenges

• Relevant educational qualifications and experience for development

• Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing

• Understanding of an organisation as a system consisting of various parts that should interact and cooperate with one another

• Full understanding of the environment within which the organisation exists.

* Chris Mkhize is a social commentator and local academic

*Readers who wish to join the discussion, share constructive ideas and contribute to the ‘roadmap to recovery’ series can email their write-ups to zulobs@ zob.co.za