The Renewed South Africa Party (RSA.P) is the new kid on the political block, aiming to effect change with a draft policy envisaged to empower the ordinary citizen through a partnership for development.
Former politician Cornelis Roelofse, who initially stepped out of politics after nine years with the African Christian Democratic Party which he served as provincial leader and Legislature Member until 2003, is the interim leader of the structure that launched its policy last Thursday.
Personally he wasn’t interested in a leadership position and would prefer a mentor’s role to a younger leader, but served as visionary with whom the party policy originated, he explained in an interview with Polokwane Observer. Still he would drive the initiative for the good of the country, he added. “South Africa needs something. We are heading for the precipice.”
Conceding to the fact that all along he has maintained an interest in politics and that it influenced a person’s life whether one liked it or not, Roelofse explained that the idea for the establishment of the party was sparked when he was approached by students in search of a solution for the South African problem earlier this year. The essence of the conversation was underscored by their discontent with lies as well as money and position mongers in the country.
Their message is encapsulated in what is contained in the draft policy stating that politics needed to change to responsible governance in a true partnership with voters that would lead to more development and less control. They had a vision to change South Africa within five years from the party’s taking power or through coalition agreement. They further envisage minimising government interference by creating a two-tier government in a confederate structure where communities are empowered. The new party would endeavour to achieve this by doing away with a bulging Cabinet, provincial governments and municipalities and instead creating semi-autonomous regional governments. It is foreseen that there will be about 24 to 30 such regions with their own executives and that each region will retain the current municipal technical and service components in partnership with communities and the private sector for service delivery and projects. Regional delegates will ideally be elected on a constituency basis which forms the Regional House of Representatives while each region should have its own Regional House of Delegates.
Its national assembly will consist of two chambers, the National House of Delegates and the House of Regions while the national Cabinet would be appointed by a prime minister and be limited to approximately eight to ten departments.
The President will be elected by the people on a separate ballot paper, according to RSA.P policy.
In terms of the party policy referenda may be used to consult partners on major government decisions.
Roelofse stressed the fact that the system had to change to serve the people and that people had to be regarded as partners in development and not as voters, while politics should serve as vehicle to uplift people and return their self-respect and dignity.
Roelofse remarked that the suggested political system would not be possible without changes to the Constitution. At present they were in conversation with two groupings about the policy system they were presenting, he indicated.
He explained that the party was busy engaging with partners – otherwise referred to as members in other political structures – to establish circles, as opposed to branches, in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Calls from KwaZulu-Natal, the Northern Cape and Limpopo itself indicated interest in the new party with people considering it as a solution for South Africa, he said. “Maybe it is indicative of a tsunami on the way.”
Story & photo: YOLANDE NEL
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