Local Government Elections: 'We desperately need better quality people'

Founder of the Democracy Works Foundation, Professor William Gumede, argues that South Africa’s democracy will remain stagnant, unless citizens begin voting based on competence and accountability – rather than identity or history.

Looking ahead to the upcoming local government elections, Gumede reiterates that this is more about service delivery than anything else.

"Citizens often forget that most of our public services are actually delivered at a local level... there are much more possibilities to get competent people, whether as independent candidates or as non-traditional parties.

Gumede recommends seeking out people with the relevant experience.

"I think the most important thing for people is not to vote based on past allegiances, not to vote based on colour, not to vote on family associations... but to try their best to look at who's competent – people who've actually run some sort of organisational business, or had some kind of professional job before."

He says if people vote for those who have gone into politics for the money, that's where problems arise.

While he admits the challenges involved, Gumede says the time has come for law-abiding, honest candidates who are not corrupt to stand for these positions.

"We desperately need a whole new generation of different types of people... better quality people."

In terms of letting go of old voting habits, Gumede believes it takes a certain shift of mindset.

"There's a psychological barrier that people need to cross, and the barrier is to vote for a person that is competent, but that you do not like... that does not speak like you, that doesn't look like you."

To listen to Prof. Gumede in conversation with Kgomotso Modise in for 702's John Perlman, click the audio below: