Political parties went all out trying to make the citizens vote for them for the past few weeks. Some went even as far as helping some elderly people in townships wash their clothes and sing happy birthday. What then happens after the elections, will those political members go back to the elderly people and continue to help them with their washing?

The cost of living for the poor has surpassed the lowest of the low, yet political parties run to the same people and promise the same lies repeatedly. What then is democracy if the government treats its people with inhumane behaviour? What kind of democracy preys on its marginalised senior citizens?

The internet will always be here and what will the future generations think when they see their great grandparents being paraded like children who can’t think for themselves? What democratic country thinks it is okay to visit disadvantaged townships and sit with them and hear people speak of their troubles, and yet the so-called political members appear as though they would rather be elsewhere.

Earlier this year, at the Podcast Party Launch, Democracy Unplugged, a lot of socio-economic issues and the troubles within the country were discussed. The Podcast Party is part of the One on One Productions (Pty) Ltd. The three critical thinkers who were asking questions on everyone’s mind were Penuel The Black Pen, Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh and Mighti Jamie – the panellists and activists that are no strangers to politics. “Democracy is good system of governance if you have enough power sharing between the civilians and politicians. The challenges that exist when you have these dominating party states is that you become to have this ‘Us vs Them’ and ‘Peasant vs Elite’ attitude. This is seen in how the politicians deal with civilians. Democracy then becomes an illusion,” stated Mighti Jamie.

The democratic process in the African space is almost an illusion because most people in power are guilty on multiple charges of corruption, yet they remain in power or let someone within their circle of politics take over. Therefore, there is no accountability whatsoever.

Globally, the authenticity and application of democracy is hanging on by a thread. However, in South Africa, that word is close to being extinct. If the middle and upper classes are excluded in the country, most people that make up the population are the lower class who earn below the bread line and have no job prospects. Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh emphasised that Democracy as a word makes it possible for people to matter. “The idea of democracy to me is that everyone matters in a sentence. Every citizen in theory matters in the overall governance.”

He also builds on the idea that there is still hope if the right choice is made and if the citizens are treated as equals and with respect. A country will only thrive if there is accountability and if people in the wrong step aside to let fresh minds look at all the damage caused and work hand in hand with the public and start the on the journey of rebuilding a democratic state.