Time to move away from ballot box to SMS democracy

THIS column will for the next few weeks be dedicated to discussing proposals to make our society a better place for all. It is time to stop complaining and to start proposing solutions

At least three questions will be discussed: democracy, followed by equality and the final instalment will be on economic transformation.

I am inspired by discussions happening on social networks towards the second September National Imbizo (SNI).

Last week, on Facebook, I challenged the idea that "49 million people are ruled by a mere 400 people in the national assembly", and I also made the point that we, as a people, are only called to participate in the political life of our country every five years and we have only the option of choosing our rulers, then off they go to Cape Town to run this country as they please.

This is not democracy, it's a permitted dictatorship of the elite, and then we wonder why politicians run the country in their interests as we see with corruption claims across the political spectrum.

Our political system literally allows those we vote for to turn our national resources into private interests.

We have seen how people who have political influence or, being related to politicians, have become millionaires overnight while the people continue to suffer.

We have no say on how our budget is being allocated. We are not allowed to discuss the salaries and perks given to politicians and civil servants.

Politicians, without checking with us, can decide to bail out businesses and even feudal lords like King Mswati III of Swaziland.

In short, the voting masses have no say in the running of the country.

The Imbizo resolution on "new people's democracy" is simple yet profound.

Since 70 percent of South Africans are said to have cellphones, the Imbizo proposes popular participation through SMSes.

This method will be coupled with democratic popular assemblies, live debates by the state broadcaster, including live streaming into community radio stations, popular assemblies from streets committees to villages.

Once consensus is arrived at within a given period voting can take place.

In this way we can all participate in and decide on major issues, such as the nationalisation of mineral resources, budget allocations, Black Economic Empowerment and arms deals, salaries of ministers and their perks.

We can even pass votes of no confidence on under-performing politicians and public servants or decide on who the chief justice should be!

When I proposed that we need a system that would bring the 49 million citizens into decision-making, someone said I needed to be arrested and charged with "incitement and treason".

The respected American thinker Naom Chomsky makes the point that: "It is only when the threat of popular participation is overcome that democratic forms can be safely contemplated".

It's time to move away from ballot box democracy of every five years to SMS democracy of everyday voting. We must ask: who is afraid of democracy and why?

• The writer is one of the conveners of the SNI, which will be held in Durban from September 23 to 25