By: Natasha Archary
Rekgotsofetse Chikane from the Wits School of Governance joins Ayanda Nyathi in conversation about the concept of personality politics in the build-up to the 2024 National and Provincial Elections in May.
Talking about our politicians, political parties and the pending elections, the question is are South Africans going to vote for the “machine” aka the political parties or the leaders?
Take the African National Congress’s (ANC) current struggles as an example, while the machine may still be churning, there is little to no faith in the leadership.
The ANC holds a strong place in the hearts of a majority of the country’s citizens for its struggle and victory during apartheid and the strides made in combatting inequality.
Will this however, be enough to keep the ruling party and its President, Cyril Ramaphosa in power for another term?
With Jacob Zuma’s popularity in KwaZulu-Natal, the upcoming elections have taken an interesting turn and while some are of the opinion that there is a chance the former President’s new party will sway the votes.
Others believe that the legacy of the ruling party will live on and that Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party will not dismantle the ANC’s rule.
Chikane says the concept of personality politics is basically when voters look at leaders as saviours and it goes back to the apartheid struggle.
“The best way to think about it is that South Africans love having a saviour.
You can really trace it back to personalities or leaders who were part of the apartheid struggle. This idea that we can have particular figures that can pull us out of the doldrums into some sort of utopia.
Then it happens, right? You end apartheid and yeah, it’s not just the ANC there were other leaders from different parties too, and South Africa’s politics adapted to that and we elevated personalities to become the face of ideas, rather than an idea being carried by personalities.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ability to lead has been questioned by former Presidents who say he’s responsible for the current state of the country.
South Africa’s failings don’t just revolve around Eskom’s power crisis or its massive R400 billion debt, but the high levels of crime, unemployment, poverty, overall economy and people living hand to mouth due to the rising cost of living.
Questioning Ramaphosa’s prowess to operate the machinery that is the ANC, boils down to whether the President is truly going to improve things for the average citizen.
His innate ability to calm the masses during extreme panic, as was witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic may not be enough to see him through another term.
Sentiment is that people are growing impatient with his excuses and want to see action instead.
Also read: IEC publishes final candidate lists for 2024 National and Provincial Elections
