When one looks at the recent debates in the South African Parliament, an atmosphere of political maturity and collaboration is emerging and suggests a significant change from previous legislatures. This new dynamic is distinguished by a less demagogic tone and more focused on finding concrete solutions.
At the recent plenary session of the National Assembly to discuss the strategy of the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, to break the stranglehold on the economy exercised by criminal construction groups and other extortionist organisations, the various political parties, both in power and in opposition, demonstrated seriousness and made constructive contributions to combat extortion, which is responsible for losses of around R68 million in this sector last year.
The interventions did not ignore the flaws in the police system, corruption within the police force, inefficiency and underfunding. The goal was clear: to seek solutions to South Africa’s problems together rather than settle political scores.
This climate of wisdom and construction is not a first in the recent political landscape. EFF President Julius Malema recently challenged President Cyril Ramaphosa over his promise to build a million homes in Alexandra. Through a measured argument on the ethics of presidential action, Malema obtained an apology. A striking contrast to the EFF’s past actions and an encouraging sign.
The seventh South African Parliament thus appears to be starting its work on a more assertive note of cooperation and rationality than its predecessors. This positive development has not gone unnoticed and suggests interesting prospects for the future of South African democracy.
As the local elections approach, it is crucial that this wave of rationality and collaboration observed in Parliament spreads to local government, particularly in the contested metropolises of Gauteng. Instead of engaging in sterile political games, local leaders would be well advised to take inspiration from the positive example set by their parliamentary colleagues, because it is on the basis of this type of responsible and constructive governance that they can hope to convince voters during the next elections.