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Election season has a certain enchantment to it. This is the one occasion in history when politicians may deliberately insult the intelligence of their constituents and not only get away with it but even be applauded for it.
During this period, ordinary South Africans stop caring about how their hard-earned taxes are being misused. They only look forward to having the people who steal their money visit them so they may continue to live opulent lives.
Don’t worry about it!
READ: Editorial | South Africa's freedom was not free, many sacrificed their lives
Have you lost your job as a result of the decades-long mismanagement and bad fiscal policies that created the current economic mess?
Ignore it!
Your elected officials would prefer that you spend the next month concentrating on the visits from individuals you haven’t seen in your neighbourhood in five years and probably won’t see again until the next election campaign.
And while members of the governing party are being utterly shameless in their campaigning, the opposition has just as little to offer.
They spend their time attacking the small parties, accusing them of being political mercenaries, instead of finding common ground for a much-needed alliance against a very powerful foe. These parties all have one thing in common – none of them is truly fit to lead in their current incarnations.
READ: VOICES | 30 years of strengthening democracy, SA’s constitutional order
First, we must let them know that we will no longer tolerate mediocrity. Second, we should let those we vote for know that they are there to serve and improve our lives. This will happen every day of their terms, not just when they toe their party line and pop in once every five years.
