Changing electoral system will protect our democracy

The question that should occupy our minds is: How do we hold those we have elected accountable? South Africa has reached a stage at which the politics of accountability should take centre stage.

As a nation we should ask whether the current electoral system is strengthening our democracy. Is the government system being abused to prolong people's stay at the feeding trough? How do we explain the situation in which we find ourselves regarding the Nkandla debacle?

If those elected knew they served at the whim of the people, would they still behave as badly as they currently do?

Systems are continually reviewed, and South Africa has reached a stage where it should change its electoral system. While smaller parties would lose out in these changes, in the long run everyone would benefit from a stronger democratic system.

President Jacob Zuma's stay in power is underpinned by the factional politics in the ANC. As long as ministers and MPs rely on his stay in power to survive, the chasm will always widen within the ruling party.

No one should have aspirations of power without thinking about the thousands who sacrificed their lives to give us freedom.

It is important that we demand better leadership from the ruling party. Our elected officials must be accountable to the masses.

The electoral system we have today was as a result of a negotiated settlement. There is nothing stopping this nation from changing the electoral system. If we fail to adapt to the new needs, we run the risk of losing our democracy.

ANC MPs will always follow the direction of Luthuli House. Their independence is curtailed by the current electoral system. If they were directly elected by the people, they would take orders from us, and those who manipulate the system would be caught out.

We should begin to have a different conversation and improve our democracy. We will be failing those who laid down their lives if we don't speak out and agitate for a new order.

Change is better.