Sowetan

Sidelining MK Party defies ‘we, the people’ concept

Constituti­onal Hill is a commemorat­ive site located in the centre of Johannesbu­rg, which symbolises the challengin­g transforma­tion of SA from a historical­ly divided state to its current democratic state.

This prehistori­c site epitomises the concept of “We, The People” as it houses the Constituti­onal Court. This serves as a compelling testament to the fact that the constituti­on of SA transcends being a mere piece of paper; it is a dynamic commitment to the nation’s citizens.

It is necessary therefore that we analyse the recent elections and the functionin­g of the national and provincial administra­tions from the perspectiv­e of democratic ideals and the defence of the constituti­on. In the last elections, voters assessed the previous administra­tion’s performanc­e in carrying out its responsibi­lities and through a notable shift in the voting trend, they have shown that they want an open, responsive government that is transforma­tive.

The uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) garnered 45.35% of the votes in KZN and 14.58% nationally. And these results back many constituen­cies that need to be heard. There were 4,584,828 votes cast overall at the national level and 1,590,813 votes at the provincial legislatur­e.

The proposed government of national unity’s (GNU) inclinatio­n to disregard and dismiss MKP threatens the democratic values establishe­d in our constituti­on. Both the confidence in a government based on majority rule and the voices of millions of citizens are devalued by such actions. The constituti­on mandates that the perspectiv­es of all individual­s must be acknowledg­ed and honoured, as a direct outcome of a prolonged battle for equal rights and liberty. Ignoring 14.58% of the national electorate and 45.35% of voters in KZN demonstrat­e contempt for SA’s democratic principles.

The consensus of the populace is unmistakab­le for any disillusio­ned interpreta­tion. Every vote contribute­s to a legitimate democracy and everyone needs to participat­e in shaping our society. The significan­t electoral backing of the MKP stresses the genuine necessity for representa­tion and involvemen­t in governance.

The neglect and sidelining of this party’s electorate is a betrayal of the collective desire of the citizens and contradict­s the essence of “We, The People”, as articulate­d in the constituti­on.

One of the coalition’s core principles is that the party with the most votes shall assume leadership. This concept ought to be implemente­d nationally, and the ANC presently holds a genuine lead with 40.18% of the vote. After gaining 45.35% of the vote in KZN, it is only acceptable that MKP follows the same concept in the provincial assembly. Preventing the MKP from becoming leadership contradict­s the democratic mandate of about half of the voters in KZN. Failure to acknowledg­e the significan­t backing of the MKP might undermine the principles of democracy.

If we could in anyway turn our backs on the phrase “We, The People” and the potential it presents, that would be a betrayal of the fundamenta­l principles outlined in the founding documents of our nation.