STEVEN FRIEDMAN: Talk about the future of Supra Mahumapelo is, as usual, about politicians, not the people
Politicians and commentators think grassroots citizens are unimportant, and see no point in worrying about what they might do with their votes
Changing premiers in the North West is the least the ANC needs to do to stay in control of the province. But it may not be enough to satisfy those who are being largely ignored by politicians and pundits — the people of the province. Discussion in the mainstream on the future of premier Supra Mahumapelo is, as usual, about the politicians, not the people. We hear debates on factional politics and the options facing leaders but the province’s citizens are treated as bystanders. The nearest they have come to being recognised was during a moment in one broadcast discussion that promised us, "after the break", a discussion on whether the people of the North West were being heard. By the time the break was over, panellists had forgotten all about the people and had carried on discussing the politicians. We should worry about this not only because democracy is meant to be about the people, but also because an elite that does not think the people are even worth discussing is unlikely to ca...
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