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100 years and going strong; But has the ANC-led government done enough for its people?
By Isaac Esipisu
Although the role of political parties in Africa has changed dramatically since the sweeping reintroduction of multi-party politics in the early 1990s, Africa’s political parties remain deficient in many ways, particularly their organizational capacity, programmatic profiles and inner-party democracy.
The third wave of democratization that hit the shores of Africa 20 years ago has undoubtedly produced mixed results as regards to the democratic quality of the over 48 countries south of the Sahara. However, one finding can hardly be denied: the role of political parties has evidently changed dramatically.
Notwithstanding few exceptions such as Eritrea , Swaziland and Somalia , in almost all sub-Saharan countries, governments legally allow multi-party politics. This is in stark contrast to the single-party regimes and military oligarchies that prevailed before 1990.
After years of marginalization during autocratic rule, many African political parties have regained their key role in democratic politics by mediating between politics and society. Multi-partyism paved the way for genuine parliamentary opposition and the strengthening of parliaments in decision-making. However, several shortcomings still remain: many African political parties suffer from low organizational capacity and a lack of internal democracy.
Dominated by individual leaders, often times lifelong chairpersons and “Big Men”, youth and women remain marginalized within party structures.
Well, I must admit that although the ANC has not done what most ruling parties in africa do when they assume power. However I feel that if a country is ruled by the same political party for over a decade, especially such a “young” country in the republic of south africa. The leaders will grow complacent and corruption will fester, allowing the inevitable change of ruling party that will ensue to be greeted with upheaval and the weakening of the nation of south africa.. take the British style of politics, and how they deal with runners up to elections for example, the country has survived for so long in the sense that once the ruling party wins the non winning parties don’t throw their toys out of the cot. They united together with the ruling party for the greater good of country. think about it..power is not absolute and when the oppression of power sharing in the political sense its evident, a country will never reach its full potential.
When competition is diminished, rest on ones laurels.
You need an opposition that wins and a country needs the breathe of fresh air that a stable competitive multi party system that can prove that its belongs in the Developed world. The only way of proving this is by having The ANC, DA, COPE and IFP bring about a change that will challenge dominance and once this is achieved have the foresight to not undermine the previous ruling parties policies, just for the sake that they won. However build on the principles that the previous party succeeded and tweak the parts that weren’t as successful, injecting new blood and ideas into the political landscape!
just saying..