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18 March 2024 | Story VALENTINO NDABA | Photo SUPPLIED
RIGHT TO VOTE 2024
Expert speakers dissecting South Africa's political landscape at the University of the Free State’s recent panel discussion on the 2024 elections.

The University of the Free State's (UFS) Centre for Gender and Africa Studies (CGAS), in collaboration with the South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR), recently organised an Africa Dialogue Series panel discussion titled ‘Elections 2024: South Africa’s Changing Political Landscape’. The event, held on 6 March 2024, brought together distinguished speakers and experts to dissect the evolving dynamics of South Africa's political landscape as the nation gears up for the 2024 elections.

The panel featured prominent figures including former Tony Leon, Makone Maja, Michael Atkins, and Terence Corrigan, who provided valuable insights into various aspects of the upcoming elections. Prof Heidi Hudson, Professor at the CGAS, expertly moderated the session, ensuring a robust exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Importance of informed dialogue

Prof Hussein Solomon, Senior Professor at CGAS and planner of the dialogue session, reflected on the success of the event in achieving its objectives. He emphasised the importance of informed dialogue in navigating the complex issues surrounding the 2024 elections. "The idea is to inform people of the issues at stake, but also to focus on key issue areas from an academic perspective," Prof Solomon said.

He expressed concerns about voter registration and the need for heightened awareness among youth, underscoring the significance of addressing societal challenges to ensure peaceful elections.

Unprecedented uncertainty in election outcome

Leon, former leader of the Democratic Alliance and a seasoned political analyst, opened the discussion by highlighting the unprecedented uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the 2024 elections. Contrary to previous elections where the victory of the African National Congress (ANC) was almost a given, Leon pointed out that the current political landscape presents a different scenario.

"In all the previous elections we were able to predict an ANC win. This time round it is not that simple," he said. "The ANC will not clear 50 and that’s going to be a big game-changer."

Leon underscored the fragmentation within the ANC itself, noting the emergence of multiple versions of the party with no clear ideological distinctions. He also raised concerns about voter turnout and the implications of a potential government controlled by parties representing a mere fraction of the voting population.

Declining youth political participation

Maja, Campaign Manager at the IRR, shed light on the decline in political participation by youth in South Africa. Drawing from statistical data, she emphasised the need to address the disillusionment among young voters, particularly regarding corruption and unemployment.

"I've been particularly curious about youth for their behaviour," she said. "A lot of the youth... did not align with political parties in South Africa, much more likely in the youth than in the older age categories."

Maja highlighted socioeconomic factors that are contributing to youth disengagement from the political process, and stressed the importance of political engagement in shaping democratic outcomes.

Upholding electoral integrity

Atkins, a seasoned political analyst and independent observer in South African elections, focused on the imperative of upholding electoral integrity. He criticised the flaws in the Electoral Amendment Bill and highlighted concerns about the accuracy of election results.

"We have seen a complete disrespect or even disdain for meaningful electoral reform through these last three years," he said. "Spurious claims of rigging must be objectively and speedily met and countered."

He called for increased transparency and accountability within the electoral process to ensure the legitimacy of election outcomes.

Political dynamics and future scenarios

Corrigan, a Project Manager at the IRR, delved into the changing political dynamics of South Africa and contemplated potential future scenarios. He questioned the sustainability of the dominant party paradigm and examined the possibility of coalition politics in the aftermath of the elections. Corrigan highlighted the emergence of new political players and the implications of coalition politics for stability and governance in South Africa.

The Africa Dialogue Series panel discussion provided a platform for robust debate and critical analysis of South Africa's political landscape, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the 2024 elections and beyond.

News Archive

International ties for OSM
2013-08-21

 

Prof Nicol Viljoen in the historic Teatr Zdrojowy in Walbrzych, Poland
20 August 2013


Profs Nicol and Martina Viljoen from the Odeion School of Music (OSM) recently undertook a very successful trip to Europe where Prof Nicol Viljoen rendered two solo piano recitals in Poland. They also delivered a joint paper at a congress in Budapest.

The first of the two recitals were held in Crakow at the famed Zespol Panstwowych School of Music. At this event, Prof Viljoen essentially recited Chopin Mazurkas and was invited to repeat this performance in Poland in the future.

The second piano recital was in the historicTeatr Zdrojowy im. Henryka Wieniawskiego in Walbrzych. This concert included Preludes, Mazurkas, as well as the Ballad in G minor by Chopin. After the Mazurkas, the audience rewarded Prof Viljoen with a standing ovasion – and again at the end of the concert. As a result of this, the chief organiser of the event, Jerzy Kosek, who is also the conductor of the Filharmonia Sudecka, invited Prof Viljoen to perform as soloist with his orchestra next year.

Kosek also invited Conducting students at the OSM to work with the Filharmonia under his leadership on an exchange basis. He indicated that he would like to strengthen the ties with the University of the Free State and the Odeion School of Music. Two members of the Filharmonia Sudecka are currently doctoral students in Performing Arts at the OSM, namely Karol Legierski (concertmaster) and Marianne Cilliers (first violin), while the co-concertmaster, Dorota Graca, is in the process of registering for doctoral studies at the OSM.

The paper delivered by Profs Viljoen in Budapest, formed part of the interdisciplinary congress, ‘The Arts in Society,’ where more than twenty countries were represented. Their paper dealt with the post-apartheid oeuvre of the South African composer, Hans Huyssen. Charla Schutte, another doctoral student at the OSM, delivered a paper on an interpretation of indoctrination songs on the basis of an analytical model by the philosopher Johann Visagie.

During the trip, Prof Martina Viljoen also had a productive meeting with the executive manager of Common Ground Publishers, an academic publisher based in the USA, with a view to publish work from the OSM.

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