Address by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy (EISA) 20th Anniversary Symposium Crowne Plaza Hotel, Johannesburg

Former Heads of State and Government,

Ministers and MPs,

Members of the diplomatic corps,

Members of the EISA Board of Directors,

Development partners,

Representative of the African Union Commission,

Representatives of regional economic communities,

Representatives of election management bodies,

Representatives of political parties,

Representatives of civil society organisations,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to thank EISA for the kind invitation to address this symposium.

The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa is a valuable continental institution for democracy, peace and development.

It is a widely admired entity and trusted organisation that nurtures democratic governance and accountability.

It actively promotes the values, practices and institutions associated with popular democracy.

Its work extends beyond the support for democracy, free, fair and credible elections to promoting and entrenching a democratic ethos aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens.

Beyond the polls, it is critical that the will of the people and wishes of the electorate inform the policy choices adopted by governments.

Twenty years ago, the Electoral Institute of South Africa was born out of a resolve to contribute to building a democratic South Africa.

It was an immense honour for me to have been associated with EISA in its formative years, during which it expanded its work into the region, becoming the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa in 2000.

As a pioneer in the field of elections and democratic governance in the continent, in 2012 it became the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa.

For two decades, EISA has been contributing to critical components of democratic development through its effective models of intervention.

This annual symposium has become a celebrated platform where a wide variety of institutions, leaders and experts reflect and exchange experiences and perspectives.

The state of democracy in Africa preoccupies many academics, policy makers and practitioners both within Africa and more broadly.

An examination of the recent political history of Africa reveals that democracy has made great progress.

The increased number of competitive multiparty elections is one of the triumphs of the democratic trajectory of Africa.

The democratic space has broadened.

With the rise of popular multiparty democracy in the 1990s, the holding of regular elections has become the norm rather than the exception.

Broad-based electoral democracies have supplanted the authoritarian and military regimes of previous decades.

In many instances, these democracies have witnessed the peaceful transfer of power from ruling parties to the opposition.

Electoral democracies have contributed much to the stabilisation of the continent, and subsequent advances in economic growth and social development.

However, deficiencies in the quality of some electoral democracies have raised concern about the potential for reversal.

The opening of the political environment requires impartial, professional and technically-sound arbitration of electoral competition.

Electoral management bodies have delivered credible elections on our continent, including here in South Africa.

Yet many countries still fall short in the administration of elections.

The lack of credible electoral processes and disputed results are not the only threat to the consolidation of democracy.

In many developing countries, inequality and poverty is a pervasive threat to the building of democracy and its sustenance.

The concentration of economic power in the hands of a few diminishes the capacity of the majority to direct resources in a manner that advances the national interest.

Those who control the economy have a disproportionate influence on the development and implementation of policy.

A significant and rapid reduction in inequality is therefore not only a moral and economic imperative.

It is also critical for the advancement of democracy.

Countries that are heavily indebted � that do not have the resources to meet their developmental needs � are similarly constrained in the full expression of the will of the people.

The space these countries have to determine their own economic and social path is often curtailed by the expectations of creditors.

Sound financial management, substantial domestic savings and a stable macroeconomic environment therefore assist countries in asserting their own sovereignty and enable them to more effectively implement their electoral mandate.

Democracy cannot flourish where some people � particularly the poor � do not have access to the judicial system, do not benefit from the rule of law and are unable to exercise their own basic human rights.

Democracy cannot flourish when those with resources are able to make representations to law makers, but those with very little cannot.

Democracy cannot flourish when political parties are dependent for their continued existence on the largesse of private funders and the potential it creates for conflict of interest and the exercise of undue influence.

There is therefore a need for greater transparency in the funding of political parties alongside the establishment of public funding mechanisms through which political parties can be sustained.

Democracy cannot flourish when the media is not free, when it does not reflect a diversity of views and interests of the people of the country.

There is good reason to be concerned not only with measures governments might use to curb media freedom, but also with the unintended bias that the media’s commercial considerations often produce.

With a young population that has moved rapidly to adopt the latest in mobile technology, there is great potential in Africa to use social media to explore new platforms for engagement.

There is great potential to use new technologies to improve the mechanics of the democratic process, make it more transparent and make it more accessible.

These technologies, if effectively deployed, could revolutionise the relationship between citizens and their elected representatives.

As our democracies develop right-across the continent, we need to pay particular attention to the management of disaffection and dissent.

The right to peaceful protest, to freedom of association, to freedom of expression are fundamental pillars of a democratic society.

Yet many countries � South Africa included � often struggle to manage the tension between the militant exercise of these rights and the maintenance of the rule of law and the protection of life and property.

Democracy thrives when there is space for dissent.

But the manner in which that dissent is expressed should not undermine the very principles on which the democratic order is built.

In recent weeks, South Africa has witnessed widespread student protest over the cost of higher education.

While seeking to address their own immediate material concerns, they have sharply raised an issue that is critical to the future of our country.

They have been exercising their right to protest, they have been demanding their right to education.

They have done much to prove the vibrancy and strength of our democracy.

And yet, there are some within the ranks of these students � probably a minority � who have engaged in violence and destruction of property.

There are some who have, in vigorous pursuit of their own rights, infringed upon the rights and dignity of others.

The manner in which a society resolves these conflicts, how it manages these tensions, how it navigates the line between dissent and disorder, says much about the depth and resilience of its democracy.

In this instance, on the challenges we are facing at our universities, I am certain that an acceptable, sustainable solution will be found and that, in the process, South Africa’s democratic values and practices will be further enhanced.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As Africans, we aspire towards a continent reborn from strife and conflict, where Africa is synonymous with democracy, good governance, justice and the rule of law.

The continent has known enough suffering.

It has experienced slavery, colonialism, apartheid and Cold War imperialism.

The people of Africa yearn for peace, development and selfless leadership.

Increasingly, they demand their share of the fruits of freedom and democracy.

Increasingly, they demand efficient, responsive and accountable government.

This 20th anniversary symposium will provide insight into the progress that we have made towards the realisation of those aspirations.

It will look at what holds us back as Africans.

It will look at what needs to be done to take us forward.

This symposium will provide an opportunity to openly reflect, debate, deliberate and share our experiences on democracy in Africa.

Judging by the rich and diverse expertise gathered here from around the world, I am confident that this symposium will live up to expectations.

Our commitment to deepen democracy will ultimately be judged by our ability to put the experience shared, knowledge gained and lessons learnt at this symposium into practice.

Once again, I congratulate EISA on its sustained efforts to promote the ideal and goal of sustainable democracy on our continent.

I wish you fruitful deliberations.

I thank you.

Source: Government of South Africa