Democracy works — we just need better leaders | Lindiwe Mazibuko | Ted Talks Daily

Intro

In this episode of Ted Talks Daily, public leader Lindiwe Mazibuko discusses the challenges and changes needed to fully realize the promise of South African democracy. Despite the failures of political leaders, democracy is still worth fighting for. Mazibuko emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership and the need for a unique constitution that guarantees access to government services. She also highlights the efforts of organizations like FutureElect in developing leaders with integrity and community-mindedness.

Main Takeaways

Challenges in South African Democracy

• South Africa’s transition to democracy brought hope for a better life for all its people but has resulted in one of the most unequal societies on Earth.
• Failures of political leaders have led many young people to express a preference for an authoritarian path, sacrificing the right to vote and participate in democratic governance.
• The lack of ethical leadership has hindered the realization of rights, leading to a willingness to give up elections among two-thirds of South Africans.
• South Africa faces institutionalized corruption and poor education outcomes, with 81% of fourth graders unable to read for meaning.

The Importance of Ethical Leadership

• Efforts are focused on building capacity in ethical leaders, particularly women, to improve political leadership and representation.
• FutureElect works to develop leaders with integrity, community-mindedness, and skill, emphasizing the importance of values, character, and purpose in leaders over political ideology.
• Building a community of ethical leaders committed to democratic governance and evidence-based policy.
• Focus on young people and women holding each other accountable based on shared values.

The Need for a Unique Constitution

• South Africa needs a unique constitution that codifies the right to access specific government services into its supreme law, including healthcare, education, housing, and environmental protection.
• The Constitution guarantees absolute rights, including basic education, while other rights are considered progressively realizable.
• Disillusionment with democracy in South Africa is evident, with declining voter participation, especially among young people.
• Disproving the claim that democracy does not put food on the table.

Efforts in Developing Ethical Leaders

• FutureElect works to develop leaders with integrity, community-mindedness, and skill, emphasizing the importance of values, character, and purpose in leaders over political ideology.
• Stress testing leadership abilities and articulating a vision for leadership in government and the public sector.
• Graduates have run for office in elections, some successfully, inspiring resilience.
• Investing in active citizenship through freely available online learning tools.

Summary

Challenges in South African Democracy

South Africa’s transition to democracy brought hope for a better life for all its people, but it has resulted in one of the most unequal societies on Earth. The failures of political leaders have led to disillusionment among young people, with some expressing a preference for an authoritarian path. Institutionalized corruption and poor education outcomes further hinder the realization of rights. These challenges highlight the need for ethical leadership and a commitment to improving political governance.

The Importance of Ethical Leadership

Efforts are underway to build capacity in ethical leaders, particularly women, to address the lack of ethical leadership in South Africa. Organizations like FutureElect focus on developing leaders with integrity, community-mindedness, and skill. They emphasize the importance of values, character, and purpose in leaders over political ideology. By building a community of ethical leaders committed to democratic governance and evidence-based policy, they aim to improve political leadership and representation.

The Need for a Unique Constitution

To address the disillusionment with democracy and declining voter participation, South Africa needs a unique constitution that guarantees access to specific government services. This includes healthcare, education, housing, and environmental protection. While the Constitution already guarantees certain absolute rights, such as basic education, other rights are considered progressively realizable. By codifying these rights into the supreme law, South Africa can ensure a better life for its people and disprove the claim that democracy does not put food on the table.

Efforts in Developing Ethical Leaders

Organizations like FutureElect are actively working to develop ethical leaders through stress testing leadership abilities and articulating a vision for leadership in government and the public sector. Graduates of their programs have run for office in elections, some successfully, inspiring resilience and demonstrating the potential for positive change. Additionally, investing in active citizenship through freely available online learning tools promotes a more informed and engaged citizenry. By electing leaders with integrity and purpose, South Africa can deliver on the potential of democracy.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges and failures of political leaders, democracy is still worth fighting for in South Africa. The country needs ethical leaders who prioritize the interests of the people and work towards improving governance and representation. By developing a unique constitution that guarantees access to government services and investing in the development of ethical leaders, South Africa can overcome its challenges and create a more equal and prosperous society for all.