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Our politics is missing the most important ingredients — fun, joy and the pursuit of happiness

Jonathan Moakes
By Jonathan Moakes
5 Sep 2024
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At a point in both regional and global history where populism has never been stronger and democracy never weaker, South Africa cannot afford to sleepwalk any more on the issue of voter apathy.

An outcome of this year’s general election that has been lost in the hype of the ANC’s decline, uMkhonto Wesizwe party’s (MK’s) rise, and the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) is the serious drop in political participation by South Africans.

In May, just under 16.3 million South Africans voted in the general election. This is out of an estimated total of 42 million eligible voters (of whom only 27.7 million are registered).

That more than 60% of adult South Africans are not participating in our democracy is a serious issue, especially as we progress to the next local government elections in November 2026.  Turnout in the 2021 local government elections was the lowest in South Africa’s history, and recent by-elections confirm a downward trend: many metro ward by-elections are struggling to break the 20% turnout mark.

Crisis of legitimacy


Quite clearly, a significant majority of South Africans have given up on practising democracy. If this trend continues, elected representatives and governments at all levels will confront a crisis of legitimacy.

At a point in both regional and global history where populism has never been stronger and democracy never weaker, South Africa cannot afford to sleepwalk any more on this issue.

The GNU, its official opposition (MK party), the remaining parties in Parliament as well as the institution of Parliament itself can play a defining role in confronting this threat to the sustainability of South Africa’s democracy.

Many reading this will nod their heads and say, yes — by delivering and working hard, people’s faith in the system can be restored. And people will return to the polls.

Most definitely, any tangible difference in the lived reality of South Africans will go a long way. Citizens need to feel safer, have more access to well-paid jobs, be able to put food on the table for their family, the lights must stay on, and water needs to flow through the taps.

Progress on corruption


And it wouldn’t hurt to make a little bit of progress on corruption: the fact that our leaders, public servants and protectors are seen to be so crooked does not inspire anyone to turn out to elect more of the same. Reality trumps any words on a leaflet or promises from a lectern.

All of the above will help considerably, yet we are all missing one thing in thinking about how to get South Africans involved in politics. It is simple, yet powerful. It is what motivates people to watch sport, go to the theatre, visit friends, listen to music and watch films.

What we are missing in South African politics is fun and joy: the concept of being happy when participating in an event. It is a gaping hole in our politics.

There’s a lot to criticise about the current US election, the country’s politics and what its abhorrently expensive campaigns have become. Yet one aspect of its campaigns — in a country that achieves more than 90% of turnout of registered voters — is the fun and spirit that its campaigns can engender and the participation they incentivise, both in the campaigns themselves and the democratic process.  

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the campaign of Democratic Party nominee, Kamala Harris. Six weeks ago, Donald Trump and the Republicans were on course for a massive landslide in the presidential election on 5 November. And then Joe Biden dropped out.

Six weeks later, the campaign is a dead heat with Harris nudging ahead of Trump in several battleground states. What is driving her forward? Enthusiasm.  

It is not just that Biden dropped out and was replaced by a younger, more energetic candidate. It is the spirit and tone of the new campaign that took off, greatly aided in recent weeks by the Democrat candidate for vice-president, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota.

Happy warriors


Has Harris’ position on inflation, abortion and immigration made this race more competitive and erased the previous lead that Donald Trump had? Certainly not. It is the campaign’s laughter, its ease, its positioning of its candidates as “happy warriors” focused on realising a vision of happiness and togetherness. Yes, it is what some in the US have dismissed as “vibes”.

Let’s return home. South Africa’s politics is pretty much joyless, and has been for some time. With some notable exceptions, it is filled with boring individuals and boring set-piece events that put the nation to sleep. When there is excitement or drama, it is usually founded on sheer aggression, mean-spiritedness and violence.

And that hurts our politics even more as it cements in us the belief that politics is bad, politicians are bad, and there is no joy to be had from participating in anything related to politics.

And the closest things related to politics that we can actually do? Registering to vote and voting.

This past Saturday afternoon, Ellis Park was sold out; 17km away, Orlando Stadium was sold out. Why? The Springboks were not guaranteed a win. Orlando Pirates were not guaranteed a win. But those who attended knew they were going to have fun. That they would enjoy themselves, win or lose.

Contrast that with the political stadium season we all witnessed a few months ago in the election. People have to be paid to go to political events. And they get bored, and they leave.

Not authentic


We get sold different things on slick and glossy social media feeds, but we know in our heart of hearts that the fun being sold is not authentic.

Ask any party campaign manager who has stood in a stadium as the party leader gives a speech: nothing gnaws at you more like the fear of the people emptying the stands while the leader speaks. You just want the speech to be over so any potential embarrassment can be experienced after the cameras switch off.

That is not fun, that is not joyful, and it doesn’t result in happiness. It is merely transactional.

A key question is therefore how can our politics become more fun, more joyful and happier? It is going to have to start with those elected to represent us and those hoping to make their mark in the local government election. They have to change the game.

Maybe the GNU and the much-vaunted National Dialogue is a good avenue. What we lack as a nation is a vision that we can all get behind. Surely any “national dialogue” should be focused on that? A foundation of such a vision has to be the realisation of the goals of the Bill of Rights.

But the aim of that vision? Perhaps it takes a leaf out of the book of the US Constitution and includes the “pursuit of happiness”. That would be a good start. DM

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