COPE hides behind popularity contests in search for votes

The call by the Congress of the People that we should directly elect the president of the republic will not make our lives any better.

COPE said if it wins the coming elections, it will allow South Africans to directly elect the most senior representatives, namely the president, premiers and mayors. While the party is entitled to put forward its election manifesto, it has a responsibility to further explain its argument.

If voters are going to directly elect the head of state, COPE should explain to the electorate how the office of the president will operate once leaders are elected. Though the idea looks good on paper, there is more that needs to be done before it can be implemented. The democracy we enjoy today has its advantages and its weaknesses. We should not espouse ideas that will create more problems for us. Harebrained ideas in the race for votes expose COPE's opportunism. Will COPE accept any candidate from the ANC?

It is important that we think carefully before we support policies. COPE's argument falls too short.

What this country needs as it navigates the democratic road are sound policies. Whether we have a directly elected president is neither here nor there. The elected government is driven by the policies it pursues.

This country does not lack able leaders. It will not help South Africans to have popularity competitions to fix current leadership issues.

Whether we have Jacob Zuma as our leader or Mamphela Ramphele, we will be driven by the winning political party and the policies on the table. If COPE is serious, it should look at the private sector. You can have the most hated CEO running a company, but if he or she brings in the results, you stay at the top.

As we scrutinise the parties' manifestos, it is important that we are guided by what is feasible. US President Barack Obama cannot implement policies without the backing of the Democrats and hope to run a smooth administration. In its desperation for votes, COPE seems to have discarded common sense.