It is quite impressive how politicians have honed their skills at deceiving the public with outright lies. They present grandiose promises, fully aware of their lack of substance and resemblance to mythical creatures. And what do we, the naive citizens, get in return? Just a t-shirt and a few canned goods, all in exchange for our oh-so-valuable votes. How lucky are we to have such generous leaders?

By Themba Khumalo

Well, is not this just what we have all been waiting for? It is 2024, and brace yourselves for yet another mind-numbing election cycle.

Prepare to be enthralled by the spectacle of politicians spewing empty promises of progress, as if they are bestowing upon us a rare gem amidst a sea of mediocrity. And let us not forget their oh-so-charming attempts to romanticise democracy, comparing it to a majestic eagle soaring through the heavens.

How utterly poetic!

The impending election looms over us like a dark cloud, casting an air of uncertainty and tension. It is both amusing and disturbing to witness the skilled manipulators of the media and public opinion, those larger-than-life public figures, revelling in the chaos they create. With their silver tongues and magnetic personalities, they orchestrate a symphony of deception and distortion, all for their own personal gain.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties eagerly jump on this bandwagon of melodrama, their enthusiasm overflowing like a river bursting its banks. They lack confidence in their abilities but compensate with their boundless excitement, fervently proclaiming this upcoming election to be a pivotal turning point for our dear country. Their hyperbolic claims know no bounds as they draw comparisons to the transformative events of 1994, injecting that extra dose of drama into their already exaggerated narratives.

Oh, what creative minds we have in politics!

They spin tales so extravagant and theatrical that even Shakespeare himself would be left in awe.

It is no surprise that the apathetic public, resembling a herd of detached sheep, shows little interest in participating in the electoral process. Their indifference towards politics reflects a society that has lost faith in its leaders and lacks the motivation to bring about any real change. Additionally, the blind obedience of those who cast their votes solely based on party loyalty further highlights the superficiality of our democracy, reducing elections to nothing more than a mindless race with little regard for actual issues or policies.

Amid the eternal cries for justice and freedom, it appears that South Africa’s democracy is entangled in a web of deception and uncertainty. Like an unstoppable tragic play, the nation is slowly veering off its intended path, turning into a vessel marred by corruption and distrust. Despite the promises of a robust democracy, the lurking shadows cast doubt on the integrity of free and fair elections, raising concerns that this once promising journey may be spiralling into chaos.

This year, it seems that South Africa has become a breeding ground for an overwhelming horde of power-hungry individuals, all vying for the coveted title of leader. They crawl out from every dark corner and crevice, ready to deceive and manipulate their way to the top. It is as if the country has turned into a dystopian reality show, with each contestant more shamelessly ambitious than the last.

A staggering 356 political parties have dared to register with the IEC for the upcoming general election! But mark my words, this grand parade of political contenders will soon dwindle to a pitiable fraction of its former glory. Mergers and withdrawals shall ravage their ranks, leaving us with nought but a mere handful of survivors on the final ballot.

It is truly baffling that we are burdened with an absurd number of parties, even if we were left with just a quarter of the registered number. Why on earth do we have to endure the headache of navigating through these meaningless divisions and filling out a ballot paper that is likely to stretch as long as the Nile, all to further fragment an already fragmented system?

It is like we are all just characters in a never-ending circus, being manipulated for the entertainment of these political wannabes. South Africa has truly become a playground for these frauds, where reality is nothing more than a twisted game show.

It is readily apparent, even to the most intellectually challenged and gullible chap from a godforsaken village that our enthusiastic political aspirants maintain contrasting pursuits compared to us, the common populace, during their contentious election campaigns.

The substantial evidence at hand compellingly indicates that not all of these politicians are wholeheartedly dedicated to promoting virtuous intentions on behalf of the voters.

However, this lack of genuine commitment should hardly be deemed astonishing, as historical records exhibit an absence of similar occurrences in previous eras and render it improbable for such a circumstance to manifest itself in the foreseeable future.

A casual glance will reveal to you that these ambitious individuals, like their predecessors, lack a complete comprehension of the fundamental principles that govern the responsibilities of holding public office.

The guiding doctrine should be centred on a strong commitment to meeting and representing the diverse needs and interests of the voting public, with the lofty goal of creating a prosperous and environmentally conscious society. Their clear and logical aspirations align seamlessly with the shared desire for a successful and sustainable nation, where the benefits are distributed equally among all citizens.

I cannot help but feel a sense of pity for those who are trapped in these wannabe leaders’ web of lies, unable to see through the charade.