Democracy Works — We Just Need Better Leaders | Lindiwe Mazibuko | TED

Summary

In a powerful reflection on South Africa's democratic journey, the speaker shares the profound significance of their mother’s first vote in 1994, marking the country’s first democratic elections. Despite the optimism of the nation’s transformative constitution, the speaker highlights the failure of leadership to meet its promises, leading to widespread disillusionment, especially among youth. The speaker's work through Futurelect focuses on cultivating ethical, diverse, and resilient political leaders, particularly women, to uphold democratic values and governance. The message emphasizes the importance of active citizenship and accountability in sustaining democracy’s potential.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994 were a historic milestone, marking the first time Black South Africans could vote, a right that had been denied due to apartheid.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on the personal experience of their mother, who voted for the first time at 45, illustrating the profound significance of voting rights for Black South Africans.
• 😀 Despite South Africa's strong constitution, which guarantees rights like health care, education, housing, and water, poor political leadership has hindered the delivery of these rights to the people.
• 😀 South Africa is facing extreme inequality, energy and water shortages, and poor education outcomes, making life difficult for its citizens, especially the youth.
• 😀 A 2021 study found that a majority of South Africans, particularly younger people, were willing to sacrifice elections for basic needs like security, housing, and jobs, reflecting a loss of faith in democracy.
• 😀 There has been a decline in voter participation in South Africa, particularly among young people, who feel disillusioned with the unfulfilled promises of the democratic system.
• 😀 The speaker shares their personal journey into politics, having run for office at age 28, with the goal of contributing to South Africa’s vision of democracy, only to be disillusioned by corruption and mismanagement.
• 😀 After resigning from politics, the speaker founded Futurelect, an organization focused on developing ethical political leaders, particularly women, to ensure better governance in South Africa and across Africa.
• 😀 Futurelect emphasizes the importance of diversity in leadership, noting that countries with more women in leadership positions see improved progress and decision-making outcomes.
• 😀 The speaker advocates for the importance of values, character, and integrity in political leaders, noting that democracy can thrive when leaders are committed to the people and not driven by power or prestige.
• 😀 The speaker concludes with a call to action, urging young people to take active responsibility in democracy by holding leaders accountable and participating in governance, while also highlighting that democracies can deliver tangible benefits, such as security and food, when the right leaders are in power.

Q & A

What was the significance of the 1994 elections in South Africa, as described by the speaker?

The 1994 elections were historic as they marked the first time that Black South Africans were allowed to vote, ending decades of apartheid and racial segregation. For the speaker's mother, voting for the first time at the age of 45 was a deeply personal and symbolic moment of empowerment.

How did the speaker's mother contribute to society before being allowed to vote?

The speaker’s mother was a taxpayer, homeowner, university graduate, and had a long career in South Africa's public health service. She had raised and educated four children, embodying the role of a fully developed, responsible adult, yet she had been denied the right to vote due to apartheid.

What is the speaker's perspective on the current state of South African democracy?

The speaker is concerned that South Africa’s democracy is faltering due to poor leadership. Despite the country's progressive constitution, many of its promises, such as access to healthcare, education, and housing, have not been fully realized, leading to growing disillusionment, especially among younger people.

What does the speaker identify as the root cause of South Africa's political and social challenges?

The speaker believes that the root cause lies in the failure of political leaders to live up to the promises made during South Africa’s transition to democracy. Corruption, poor leadership, and the erosion of public trust in institutions have hindered the country’s progress.

What does the speaker say about the views of young South Africans towards democracy?

Many young South Africans are disillusioned with democracy, with some even expressing a willingness to give up elections in exchange for guaranteed basic needs like security, housing, and jobs. This is largely due to the perceived failure of democratic governance to deliver on its promises.

How does the speaker view the relationship between democracy and the provision of basic needs?

The speaker argues that while democracy may not immediately provide all basic needs, it is ultimately a more sustainable system for ensuring these rights. The failure lies not in the democratic system itself but in the leaders who fail to uphold its potential.

What is the ultimate goal of Futurelect, the organization founded by the speaker?

Futurelect’s ultimate goal is to build a new generation of ethical and diverse political leaders, particularly women, who are committed to democratic governance and social justice. The organization seeks to empower these leaders to make a positive impact in South Africa and across Africa.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of women in political leadership?

The speaker emphasizes that women’s representation in political leadership is not only a matter of fairness but also of efficacy. Studies have shown that diversity in leadership leads to better decision-making and more effective policy outcomes, which is why Futurelect focuses on empowering women to take leadership roles.

What lessons does the speaker draw from their personal experience in politics?

The speaker's personal experience in politics, including their resignation from active office due to frustration with corruption and inefficiency, reinforced the belief that the challenge in South Africa is not the system, but the quality of leadership within that system. They stress that values, integrity, and purpose matter more than political ideology.

What does the speaker believe is necessary for South Africa's democracy to thrive?

The speaker believes that for South Africa’s democracy to thrive, there needs to be a revolution in political leadership—one that prioritizes integrity, values, and a commitment to social justice. This includes a focus on ethical leaders who can deliver on the promises of the country’s constitution and address the needs of the people.