Any strengthening of voters' rights, however small, feels significant
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s dignity and sense, his stance in defeat, reflect the strength of the rainbow nation’s democratic institutions defied doom-mongers with a largely peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy. This was a remarkable moment in history, given the brutality of the white supremacist system that scarred the country for almost half a century, demonstrating how forgiveness, hope and humanity can prevail over fear, hatred and horror.
Since then, this slick operator has made a fortune in business, and served as president for the past six years. His tenure has been disappointing, strutting on the international stage yet failing to fix domestic concerns. Ramaphosa declared that the vote showed “that our democracy is strong, that it is robust and that it endures” – then set about forming a coalition saying their people had “decided we have to work together.”
This transition after three decades of single-party rule to multi-party government may be less dramatic than the end of white rule, yet it is still significant and deserving of applause. There remains much to sort, from doling out cabinet posts through to agreeing key policies. And Ramaphosa has rebuffed dangerous rivals who will seize on mistakes and seek to destabilise his fragile coalition as it tries to fix profound problems and soothe discontent.Zuma is already claiming, without evidence, that the election three weeks ago was dodgy – thus echoing corrosive false claims made by another former president who has so despoiled the world’s most influential democracy.
Any strengthening of democracy, however small, feels significant at this time when dictatorships led by China and Russia are on a rampage to undermine precious ideals of freedom and electoral accountability.
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