futurefact finds

Agang / Akhani (Build South Africa)

Mamphela Ramphele has announced her entry to the political arena and intention to contest the 2014 elections. In her speech at Constitution Hill on 18 February, she raised many issues where she felt that South Africa was falling well short of its potential and where the government was failing the people.

It is of value to look at the futurefact survey which has already questioned South Africans about their views on many of the issues she raised. futurefact has been surveying the attitudes and beliefs of South Africans since 1998 and findings on the issues she raised are from futurefact 2012, based on a probability sample of 2,946 adults aged 15 years and over except in communities of fewer than 500 people.               

Mamphela Ramphele: Our consultations and conversations across the lengths and breadths of our country have confirmed a hunger for a new beginning. Young and old, poor and rich, men and women, urban and rural people are yearning for a political platform that can put our country first, capture the best in us and enable us to transcend our divided past and work together as a society united in our diversity....

futurefact finds: 61% believe the government is moving away from the democratic principles they fought so hard to implement, while only 10% disagree with the rest being unsure. Over 8 in 10 express a concern about the lack of a strong opposition in parliament. The vast majority believe we can't keep blaming the past for all our problems and that our social and cultural diversity is a major advantage for the country.

Mamphela Ramphele: Our country is at risk because self-interest has become the driver of many of those in positions of authority who should be focussed on serving the public... An unchecked culture of impunity and the abuse of power as well as public resources rob children, young people, rural and urban poor people of the fruits of freedom.... Corruption, nepotism and patronage have become the hallmarks of the conduct of many in public service.

futurefact finds: South Africans have reached a point of despair about corruption. 6 in 10 people say: "Corruption levels are so high in SA that I have lost hope about stopping it" and, dangerously for our national moral code, almost a third of us are asking: " If other people are benefitting from corruption why shouldn't I also benefit?". But there is still a clear belief held by around three-quarters of South Africans that: Government/state officials found guilty of corruption/crime should never be allowed to hold office again.

Mamphela Ramphele It is appalling to learn that an estimated 71 percent of South Africans in the 15-34 age group who make up 60 percent of our population, are not participating in the economy, and are instead forced to accept the humiliating substitute of social grants.

futurefact finds: Eight out of every ten adults who are unemployed fear that they "might never get a job", seven out of ten believe that the government is not doing enough to create jobs, half say they are prepared to work for a lower wage just to have a job or some income while three out of ten I have given up trying to find a job (based on futurefact 2011).

Mamphela Ramphele: The poor performance of our public service is a major obstacle to providing citizens with quality public services.

futurefact finds: 65%, across all ages, races and communities are pessimistic about the future as they perceive a lack of accountability in government coupled with a lack of skills to implement policy. Three quarters of South Africans have reached the point where they believe that government does not take issues seriously until civil action or strikes occur (Marikana, farm labourers in De Doorns, Western Cape, Sasolberg, e-tolls and Anti-Rape protests all bear testimony to this).

Mamphela Ramphele: Our rallying cry during the struggle for freedom was for the people to govern, yet the system of choosing Members of Parliament from lists drawn up by political parties gives disproportionate power to party bosses at the expense of ordinary citizens. We should be able to vote for the person in our own area we want to represent us in Parliament, so we can hold them accountable for the electoral promises they make.

futurefact finds: Her plan to raise a million signatures in support of a change in the Constitution in favour of local representation could well appeal to South Africans, as almost three quarters feel that "the president should be chosen by the people not the party".

Mamphela Ramphele: Our society's greatness is being fundamentally undermined by a massive failure of governance.

futurefact finds: More than seven out of ten citizens feel abandoned by a government they believe "shows little concern for what its citizens think of it" and that once they are elected politicians are only interested in themselves and in power. 80% would like to see "the emergence a really strong leader who would re-establish order and discipline".

Mamphela Ramphele: building a platform that will seek to work with others to reduce the fragmentation in the political landscape and to realign politics towards a focus on putting the country first.

futurefact finds: Seven out of ten South Africans would like to see opposition parties work together to create a strong and united voice in parliament, with nearly all endorsing the belief, to varying degrees, that our democratic foundations are strong and will endure.

Mamphela Ramphele: I invite all compatriots to work with us to build a South Africa we can all be proud of. We owe it to you, our children, and your children to leave them a legacy of a great country. I have put up my hand. I ask you all to join this effort.

futurefact finds: There is a solid foundation for these hopes - almost every South African feels a sense of belonging to and pride in South Africa (regardless of race, age or community). 75% of South Africans and 80% of those aged 15-24 value equality in regard to race, religion or political beliefs and similar proportions believe we have the potential to become a truly wealthy and powerful nation. Seven out of ten believe that "small actions on my part can make a difference".

If you would like to find out more about futurefact and its extensive attitudinal databases please contact Jos Kuper www.futurefact.co.za

An edited version of this article first appeared in City Press.

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