As part of the Democracy 2009 series, the Mail & Guardian presents the guide for the elections
Inkatha Freedom Party
Mangosuthu Buthelezi
IFP president
Former prime minister of the KwaZulu government during apartheid and home affairs minister in South Africa’s first democratic government, Mangosuthu Buthelezi has in recent years attempted to cast himself as the elder statesmen of South African politics. He has been especially critical of Thabo Mbeki’s HIV/Aids denialism and went as far as defying stigma by outing the loss of a son to the pandemic in 2004.
But he also defended Mbeki when the latter was recalled as state president by the ANC. There has been an attempted revisionism of both the IFP and its leaders’ roles during apartheid and there is an attempt to portray the party as a modern, caring alternative as it seeks to expand from its rural Zulu power-base in KwaZulu-Natal. Buthelezi himself remains the main stumbling block in this initiative. Aside from his own political baggage, his autocratic grip on the party presidency has meant that the IFP has been unable to democratise itself internally.
Plans and promises
ECONOMY
The party is targeting 8% economic growth by relaxing labour laws to encourage job creation through SMMEs as well as being ‘more [foreign] investor friendly”
M&G says: A growth rate of 8% appears absurd in the current global climate. Although the ANC’s much maligned Gear has been accused of creating McJobs, the IFP’s focus on further liberalisation of the labour market and attracting foreign investment and entrepreneurs is likely to reinforce this trend.
CRIME
Building more prisons, the introduction of hard labour for certain crimes and the parole system to be ‘overhauled and depoliticised” to prevent the ‘politically connected from benefiting”
M&G says: More prisons are planned. What are the IFP’s plans?
EDUCATION
Free education until grade 12, incentivising teaching and a review of outcomes-based education — with the possibility of doing away with it
M&G says: Free education is less of a problem than providing schools with quality teachers and learning material. An inclusive review of OBE is needed.
HEALTH
Introduction of routine HIV/Aids testing in public schools, clinics, hospitals and universities
M&G says: Good idea, as long as it is followed through with counselling and support.
LAND REFORM
Establishment of local forums to increase dialogue between stakeholders in a land claim
M&G says: Anything that can stimulate discussion between stakeholders in land claims issues will be welcomed.
ACDP
Kenneth Meshoe
ACDP leader
Reverend Kenneth Meshoe heads the only party in Parliament that exclusively represents Christian values. He has been the party’s leader since it’s inception in 1994 and his position has been contested only once. To the surprise of observers, the party won two seats in Parliament in the 1994 election and in 1996 it voted against the Constitution because it contained clauses allowing abortion. The ACDP is the only party that submitted audited accounts and sources of private funding to the Institute for the Democracy of South Africa. Meshoe started out as a teacher. With his wife, Lydia, he started an independent church called Hope of Glory Tabernacle in March 1988, ot which they are still a part.
ECONOMY
Encourage privatisation
M&G says: South Africa’s track record with privatisation is not exemplary, given that we now buy from Mittal Steel, sourced in South Africa but at a much higher cost.
EDUCATION
Let everyone pray as they want — protect freedom of religion; bring back school inspectors; reinstate corporal punishment; and get rid of inappropriate sex education
M&G says: This will be declared unconstitutional.
HEALTH
Ensure children under 12 do not get hold of condoms, review the age of sexual consent (currently 16 years) and extend anti-Aids drugs
M&G says: Money for Aids drugs is fast running out.
CRIME
No bail for suspected murderers, rapists, armed robbers and carjackers
M&G says: This will not stand up against the Constitution.
Bring back the death penalty
M&G says: Also against the Constitution.
Resist attempts to legalise prostitution reverse laws that legalise pornography, gambling, same-sex marriages and abortion, and all laws to conform to biblical law
M&G says: Very problematic in the light of a secular Constitution.
Independent Democrats
Patricia de Lille
ID leader
Known as the firebrand politician obsessed with the arms deal, Patricia de Lille has tried to build a party that would curb the ANC’s excesses, albeit with little success. In 2003 she became the first female to head a political party when she left the Pan Africanist Congress to start the ID. Although De Lille has tried to build the ID as separate from her personal brand, the party’s image is inextricably linked to her. These elections will make or break De Lille and show whether she is, like the UDM under Bantu Holomisa, merely the flavour of the month.
Plans and promises
ECONOMY
A monthly grant to every adult will lift millions out of poverty and stimulate local economies
M&G says: With the budget going into a deficit, funding this proposal will be difficult.
Give wage subsidies to work-seekers between 18 and 25 with an ATM-type card worth R5 000 that they will give to employers who can draw on it to subsidise employee wages over a 12-month period
M&G says: Fertile ground for abuse by employers.
CRIME
Grow the police service to 200 000 officers
M&G says: The increase in policemen and women in the past few years did little to reduce crime significantly.
Set up an arms deal commission of inquiry and bring back the Scorpions
M&G says: Without the opposition taking more than 50% of parliamentary seats, this is impossible.
HEALTH
Extend ARV roll-outs, introduce national health insurance and fill the 55 000 vacancies in the health sector
M&G says: The Health Department has run out of money for ARV roll-outs and has been trying to implement a national health insurance policy. Where is the money going to come from?
EDUCATION
Provide all schools with buildings within the next five years. Introduce child education grants to cover school fees, transport and uniforms
M&G says: Wide open for abuse, with administration and monitoring problematic.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Give basic services to rural communities, build local rural markets
M&G says: A costly exercise; giving basic services in rural areas is more cumbersome and expensive than in urban areas.
United Democratic Movement
Bantu Holomisa
UDM President
The founding member of the United Democratic Movement, Bantu Holomisa headed the Transkei from 1987 to 1994. The outspoken leader is openly critical of what he believes is wrong, but gives credit where it’s due.
Once a popular member of the ANC, Holomisa was always vocal, often expressing different views.
The man who was once in impeccable standing with the ruling party formed the UDM with former National Party minister Roelf Meyer after he was expelled.
The UDM has been reduced to a regional party after some of its members of the national and provincial legislatures were snatched by larger parties during floor-crossing.
Plans and promises
EDUCATION
Free public education from primary school until grade 12
M&G says: South Africa has already introduced no-fee schools in poorer areas, which according to government statistics benefit about seven million learners.
ECONOMY
Cut government spending and channel funds to job-creating projects by reducing the wastage caused by corruption, ending over-reliance on consultants
M&G says: Over-reliance on consultants can be stopped only if government employs highly skilled people who can perform the tasks that are outsourced.
HEALTH
Ensure all doctors and nurses are properly trained, qualified and properly compensated
M&G says: More training is a good idea, but the issue will not be addressed properly without improved salaries and the reduction of pressures at work caused by staff short-ages and an increasing patient load.
CRIME
Call for a referendum on the death penalty
M&G says: The 1995 Constitutional Court ruling outlawed capital punishment, saying the death penalty is incompatible with some of the core values of the Constitution.
ELECTION REFORM
Change the electoral laws to allow for a directly elected president
M&G says: The number of opposition parties calling for electoral reform has increased, but not nearly enough to convince the ruling ANC that there is indeed the need for electoral reform. It can succeed only if the opposition speaks with one voice.