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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 study finds initiation does not build character

2015-06-24

Photo: Canva.com

Initiation at schools and school hostels does not build character or loyalty. On the contrary, it is a violation of human dignity and the rights of children.

This is the opinion of researchers from the University of the Free State’s Faculty of Education after an exploratory study of initiation practices in schools.

Although the use of initiation in schools and school hostels is forbidden by the Regulations to Prohibit Initiation Practices in Schools, the study found that this practice is still widely evident in schools. The study also found that, in some cases, teachers and/or principals take part.

In the study, led by Dr Kevin Teise from the Faculty of Education, it was found that physical deeds and even violence and emotional degradation were inflicted under the guise of ‘initiation’.

The study was discussed recently during a panel discussion between the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Law, and the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice.

The ‘initiation activities’ that take place during school hours ranged from carrying senior learners’ bags or doing other favours for them, handing over their food or food money, doing senior learners’ homework, and looking down when they speak to senior learners.

In school hostels, it was found that learners were expected to do humiliating things, and were also subjected to physical demands and even violence. Learners pointed out that they were smeared and beaten, their heads pushed into toilets, they had to bath or shower in cold water, they had to eat strange things, and they were prevented from sleeping.

Dr Teise says initiation practices are a general phenomenon in the schools and school hostels that took part in the investigation. Newcomers were subjected to silly and innocent practices, but also to physically and emotionally degrading, and even dangerous ones, before and after school, and during breaks and sports- and cultural gatherings.

“The study’s findings give every indication that the constitutional principles on which the policy document, Regulations to Prohibit Initiation Practices in Schools, is modelled, are not being put into practice and respected at these schools. Policy documents and school rules are pointless if learners, old pupils, parents, teachers, and the broad community consider initiation an acceptable behaviour that is, ostensibly, an inseparable part of school or hostel tradition and of the maturation and/or team-building processes.”

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