Do South Africans understand the meaning of democracy?

Recent service delivery protests have sparked me to ask myself whether we as South Africans understand what is entailed in a democratic country, or what democracy means.

I heard most of these protests being claimed as a fight for rights. I feel most South Africans and some political leaders do not have a clear understanding of the bill of rights as per Chapter 2 of the Constitution.

In as much we have rights, we also need to realise our responsibilities as communities.

As civilians we need to engage the state in a manner in which our challenges can be resolved amicably.

I do understand that at times officials or programmes of the state are not fast-tracking service delivery as communities wait, but it is not our right to burn libraries, destroying facilities of other civilians, calling others names, fighting peace and stability that will lead us to having an ungovernable country.

I recently witnessed a situation where people of Disteneng chased away Polokwane municipal leadership and officials coming to speak to them about reallocation and service delivery.

When should the government come to us then?

I was shocked by the Mopani district’s numerous protests that took the lives of other civilians and destroyed government properties.

I think this is not the Madiba legacy we committed ourselves to. Let me remind our communities that the Madiba legacy is about negotiations rather than uprising.

Democracy is a form of government in which the people freely elect representatives to govern them. I am reminding people of this meaning because of what I observed recently. During the voter registration weekend, February 8 and 9 people from opposition parties burned tyres and IEC banners as a protest for service delivery, while they were supposed to be at the registration hall to register.

Children are what you make them. If you say a vulgar word to them today they will say it to you tomorrow. I advise leaders not to teach people unnecessary uprising that will retaliate against them tomorrow.

I would like people to be inspired by Romans 12 v 12 that says: rejoicing in hopes, patient in tribulation and continuing steadfastly in prayers.

Semenya Kgadi Antipus