Too many South Africans are frustrated with democracy and voting because they are frustrated with politics and the political class, write the authors.

Despite making choices everyday on a variety of things, South Africans are quite happy to let other people make choices for us when it comes to politics, write Mike Pothier and Marlene Barnard.

You choose what clothes you’re going to wear for the day, and what you’re going to eat for lunch. You think carefully about how to make your money stretch at the supermarket. If you can afford to go on holiday, or to buy a new car, or to go to university, you carefully consider the various choices open to you. Of course – it’s your life, so you make the decisions.

So why, when it comes to politics, do so many of us let other people make our choices for us? 

The people who get elected to political office make decisions on our behalf that affect our daily lives and the development of our country. They formulate policies on healthcare, education, housing, water, jobs. They control our tax money. If they’re honest and capable, they spend it well; if they aren’t… well, we know what happens then. 

READ | 2024 Election brief: SA’s biggest turning point in 30 years

Obviously, we all want the best people to represent our interests. But that doesn’t just happen – we have to make it happen, and that’s where the problem lies. Too many South Africans are frustrated with democracy and voting because they are frustrated with politics and the political class. They say there is no “good” choice, but not making a choice is worse. Here’s why:

Voting is the easiest way to stand up for the issues we care about whether it’s affordable housing, more jobs, quality education, crime, or whatever. If you don’t vote, you are letting other people, including politicians you may really distrust, make decisions about these things for you. Why do that, when you wouldn’t let those same people choose your hairstyle or your coffee for you?

You don’t think so? Just ask any politician who’s ever been voted out of office or lost an election. It makes a big difference to them! In our system, there are no wasted votes. Every single vote is counted and goes towards one or other party or candidate. Your vote helps to put the people you want in Parliament, and it helps to keep out the people you don’t want. It really is that simple.

• There’s no better time to say your say

Elections are our best chance to pass judgment on those in power and to hold them to account for what they have promised and done over the past five years. It’s up to us to say whether they’ve done a good job or not. Refusing to vote out of frustration simply means that fewer people will vote the winners into power. 

One way or another, everyone in our community pays tax. Even if you’re not paying income tax you’re paying VAT, fuel levies or ‘sin’ taxes on your beer and cigarettes. Are you really happy to let just anyone spend that money? Voting gives you a chance to influence how your Rands are spent – who will spend them and what they will be spent on. Take the trouble to figure out which ones are most likely to spend your tax money sensibly. 

• Other people need you to vote 

Our communities are made up of family, friends, loved ones, neighbours and children. Some may not be aware of the importance of voting, or they may be too young, or perhaps ill. But they still have an interest in the country’s future and well-being, especially the children. By making the effort to vote, you will be promoting their rights and interests, too, not just your own.

In any democracy, the power of governing should ultimately belong to all the people, not just a few. Yes, democracy is not a silver bullet for happiness; It’s a messy business, full of tricky compromises and sometimes tedious arguing. After all, we all have different ideas about how to make our country a better place to live in. But democracy is still the best way to involve everyone in the decision-making process, and voting is a central part of that. It’s a right that many South Africans have fought and died for. You certainly also have the right not to vote, but does that really seem like a wise choice, given the many challenges facing South Africa?

Maybe you’re thinking of not voting because you can’t decide who to vote for? We’re fortunate to have a wider range of parties to choose from. Some have long track records, others are ‘new kids on the block’. In this election, for the first time, you will also be able to vote for an independent candidate instead of, or in addition to, a party. You’re never going to find a party or candidate that’s a perfect fit for your ideals – this is politics, not Barbie – but with just a little effort you can surely figure out which of them talks the most sense, and seems honest and focused enough to turn their words into actions. And then go and vote for them. Don’t let other people make your choices for you!  

– Adv Mike Pothier is the Programme Manager of the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO) and a facilitator in Civic Academy’s Constitutionalism & Governance Training Programme. 

– Marlene Barnard is a Senior Project Officer at the Hanns Seidel Foundation.

If you want to learn more about elections and how our electoral system works, check out the Election Video Series of Civics Academy, a free online education initiative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.

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