A proudly South African moral dilemma

"The rich get richer while the poor get poorer." This is an oft mentioned observation which applies equally to the concept of power. Those in power become more powerful while the remainder are left fighting for the scraps. Every year South Africa celeb

For fifteen days, starting 1 September, political representatives are free to move from their political party to another party of their choice. One might argue that this practice is acceptable and that every politician is free to choose his political home. But in reality 'floor crossing' is an affront to democracy which results in politicians putting their personal interests ahead of those of the voters who elected them.

In addition, the system is fatally flawed. A provision that at least one tenth of a party's members must cross the floor means that members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) will never be able to make use of the 'floor crossing' period. It is a provision that protects the largest political party in the country while punishing every opposition party. The result is that the ANC is unlikely to ever lose a seat due to this aberration.

An insult to every voter in the country

Voters go to the polls to elect a party to represent their views in government. They are fully aware of a number of conditions attached to their vote. For example, they know that their vote is not linked to a particular person. They understand that a vote for the party of their choice increases the total number of seats that their party will eventually control. And they are aware that the final decision as to who occupies each seat is taken democratically by the leadership of the political party concerned.

The right to vote is enshrined in the constitution and is a cornerstone of South Africa's successful democratic transition. For this reason it is absurd that nearly two decades into the new South Africa the basic right given voters is so blatantly abused. The 'floor crossing' provision allows members of parliament, members of the provincial legislature and members of municipal councils to spoil or cast aside the vote of every individual who contributed to them securing their seat.

Floor crossing is an affront to the people of South Africa in that it makes a mockery of the effort they made to cast their vote to begin with.

Ethics straight from the gutter

How can South Africa prosper when the moral fibre of its leaders is so easily warped? What causes an individual to significantly change their political views between 31 August and 1 September of a given year? And who gives these individuals the right to abuse the trust that was placed in them by the voting public?

Floor crossing demonstrates the moral calibre of South African politicians. Regardless of what these politicians claim, the process of crossing from one party to another is nothing less than selling out to the highest bidder. Individuals from small political parties simply put their own interests first and move to whichever party offers better prospects in the long term. Their actions push the country closer to the undemocratic one-party state an affliction which already suffocates opportunity in many African countries.

Floor crossing is one of a number of alarming political practices which place our fledgling democracy under tremendous pressure. Other examples include the incorrect application of affirmative action and employment equity policies. All these practices bypass fundamental individual rights in favour of a particular individual or group.

Obsessed with power and race

There are two major stumbling blocks to South Africa's democracy. These are the two obsessions power and race. Politicians are more concerned with protecting their status and forming coalitions of power than they are with improving the lot of ordinary citizens. Consider recent developments at public broadcaster SABC as it once again backs a government minister over freedom of speech. And witness the considerable posturing as the ANC nears its window for naming a successor at the head of the organisation.

For the time being South Africa seems unable to shake its narrow race fixation. Race classification is as prevalent today as it was in the past. Citizens cannot apply for jobs, obtain credit, own shares in a company or submit tenders without first ticking a box to declare their race. Cities and towns are renamed regardless of expense simply to marginalise sections of the community. And it is alleged that at a recent council meeting the Tshwane Municipality declared that only fully black owned small and emerging companies would be accepted in future tenders.

South Africa has potential. There are those in the country who are doing their level best to ensure it achieves its promise. At the same time there are those who wish to sabotage progress at every step. It is high time politicians and public servants look past issues of power and race and concentrate instead on fulfilling their promises. It is time to stop fighting over petty issues and focus on growing the pool of wealth in the country from grass root levels to the very highest structures. And it is definitely time to put a stop to the undemocratic practice of floor crossing.

Editor's thoughts:
Floor crossing is an affront to democracy. It allows politicians to place their personal interests ahead of those of the citizens who voted them into power. A properly functioning democracy would never allow such a situation to persist. Yet every year small political parties lose a bit more of their hard won power to the ANC and year after year we enter the same debate to no avail. How can the citizens of the country be expected to embrace the new democracy when leaders flout its principles so blatantly? Why is floor crossing still a part of South Africa's political environment? Send your comments to [email protected]