The ANC is considering communicating with the electorate through imbizos, community-scale public meetings, because parliament has descended into "anarchy". But such a strategy could be a poisoned chalice.
Imbizos could make the government less accountable to the people instead of more so.
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said: "The ANC's executive committee has noted the extent to which parliamentary processes have descended into chaos, and the unruly offensive on the ANC in parliament, on parliament itself and on democracy.
"Hooliganism and insult are at unprecedented levels and are unfortunately being defined as a tool of engagement. It is this reality that informed the decision that, in order to account to our people, the ANC should continue to rely more on direct contact with them in imbizos."
Although greater engagement with the public would be welcome, there is a risk that the ANC will simply preach to the converted.
We have seen in the past how these gatherings are loaded with ANC supporters and carefully scripted and stage-managed to save face.
If the ruling party is serious about getting South Africans behind it, it should deliver on its mandate to the people.
A true engagement with the public would involve the ANC honestly reflecting on its successes and failures, and fixing what is breaking or broken. If these proposed gatherings turn out to be merely opportunities for the recitation of ANC self-congratulation they will only further fuel the anger and frustration of many citizens.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa hit the nail on the head when he noted that many communities see ANC public officials as "arrogant" and uncaring.
As long as ANC leaders know that they will be paid generous salaries for doing little or nothing, this arrogance will persist.
The ANC should not reinforce the impression that it cannot handle the heat in parliament.
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