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Africa Dialogue Series discussion at UFS offers insights into SA’s 2024 elections

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

UFS launches history book

2007-02-02


Attending the launch of the UFS history book were, from the left: Prof Stef Coetzee, Prof Francois Retief, Prof Wynand Mouton, Mr Pieter Cox (Chairperson on Sasol) and Prof Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS). Profs Coetzee, Retief and Mouton are former rectors of the UFS.
UFS launches history book The University of the Free State (UFS) today launched its history book titled, From Grey to Gold, on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. “The history of the UFS is one of faith, hope, struggle and determination. The book tells a fascinating story that stretches over a 100 years. It is divided into five main phases, which tells about the growth of the UFS from a poor Free State community to a mature university. Interesting stories about student days, sport, rag and hostel activities are included in each phase,” Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor said during the launch of the book. “One cannot know where you are going if you don’t know where you are coming from. You have a clearer idea of the issues facing an institution if you know the history. A book like this one is also an important source of reference for staff on the campus,” said Prof Fourie. The first research for the book was done from 1999-2003 by Prof Leo Barnard from the Department of History and a team of researchers. They also compiled the first manuscript. During the last three years, Prof Fourie was closely involved with the writing of the final phase and finishing off the history book project. “It was an honour to be so closely involved with the story of the UFS because now I have a better understanding of the institution, its people, its culture and its way of thinking. For any rector of a university, such an understanding of its institution is a requirement,” Prof Fourie said. The book is partly sponsored by Sasol. During the launch of the book, Mr Pieter Cox, Chairperson of Sasol said the company and the UFS have been partners for 57 years. “Both Sasol and the UFS are striving for excellence – Sasol for excellence in technology and the UFS for excellence in education,” said Mr Cox. “It was an easy decision when the UFS approached Sasol for financial support of the history book. Its a formidable piece of work, something Prof Fourie and the UFS can be proud of,” said Mr Cox. The book consists of more than 500 pages with hundreds of photos and a wide range of supplements of office-bearers, awards and achievements (including national and sporting colours). A timeline framework, putting the history of the UFS in context with the history of the Free State, South Africa and of the world, is also included. Besides the supplements, the history book also tells the story of amongst others the establishment of the UFS; the role of its founding fathers; black pioneers of transformation; the establishment and development of academic departments and faculties; student numbers; pioneers and trends in research; academic entrepreneurs; campus issues and campus politics; interesting facts and stories about student life (rag, intervarsity and cheerleaders, sport and the Springboks, hostel traditions); the admission of black students and anguish about race; language and culture; the development of the Main Campus; the Tickey and the Banana and much more. Emphasis is placed on a very high level of quality. “It is not every day that the university becomes hundred years old and the institution will be measured by the quality of the book. We cannot say the UFS is a university of excellence if the book does not reflect that,” Ms Edma Pelzer, Director: Physical Resources and Special Projects said. Ms Pelzer managed the project as part of the last mentioned part of her portfolio. The search for photographs was an important aspect of the book and it was a big task to find photographs and write captions. It took almost a year to translate and prepare the English edition and almost ten months to ensure the accuracy thereof, especially to correctly translate the typical Free State and UFS terminology and naturally to complete the English manuscript’s layout and proofreading. In the mean time the cover pages were designed and in September 2006 the manuscript went into the final print process. The Afrikaans title is: Van Sink tot Sandsteen tot Graniet. The cost of the book is R380 per copy. Those who already ordered the book will soon receive their copy. Orders can be placed by contacting Mr Dawid Kriel at UFS Marketing on 051 401 3409 or on the UFS web site at www.ufs.ac.za. The book is also available at Van Schaik Book Store on the Thakaneng Bridge, UFS Main Campus and at Fascination Books in Mimosa Mall, Bloemfontein. Media release Issued by: Lacea Loader Media Representative Tel: (051) 401-2584 Cell: 083 645 2454 E-mail: loaderl@mail.uovs.ac.za 2 February 2007

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