The role of a responsible opposition party by Patricia De Lille
2003-05-02. Speech at Stellenbosch University. Ladies, Gentlemen and young South Africans: It is indeed a privilege to address you here today.
Since we have started the Independent Democrats I have been flooded
with support from the youth all over the country. I hope this is
attributed to the fact that the youth think I am still young.
I believe, however, that it has more to do with a general disillusionment that the youth presently feels towards our current politics and politicians. Young people feel that they do not have enough information and knowledge concerning politics, and although such information will definitely invoke renewed interest in politics, they are nonetheless not willing to spend much time on the acquisition thereof. Those who do possess knowledge of the current political situation feel that they have no reason to become overly interested and involved in politics. This new generation (the youth) have no clear-cut political struggles and may lack motivation to become involved in politics, which still revolve around immediate post-Apartheid issues. They feel that new ideals, and especially the addressing of current issues on a local level, will renew interest. Generally then, the youth wants to be approached and recruited in a process more exciting- with more focus on action rather than planning, discussion and participation that will allow their involvement to result in visible change. I am aware that the youth is seeking for an organisation and opportunity through which to make a meaningful noise that generates visible and meaningful change.
Over the last few years the public has had to witness corruption, disinterest in the concerns of the electorate and political careerism on the part of politicians. Therefore, one can hardly blame people for not taking politicians seriously anymore. Students are always recognized to be in the forefront of pushing for change in society. It is important that politics be made an exciting process in which the youth can act as the agents of change, which they have been historically shown to be.
I am therefore hoping that you will join others and I today in the ID that together we shall bring about a quiet revolution in our current political landscape, and so take South African politics out of the rut that it has fallen into.
The Role of a Responsible Opposition Party
Please bear with me, I have already spoken for so long and I have not touched on the topic of my speech here today but this is what happens when you do not get enough speaking time in Parliament!
The title of my speech today is the role of a responsible opposition party, which I believe the Independent Democrats will prove itself to be over the coming year.
Other opposition parties in the country are sectorally and racially based, with not much chance of increasing their support outside their usual constituencies. They define themselves solely in terms of their opposition to the ANC. This has the effect of putting the narrow interests of the party ahead of those of the country.
In the ID, we believe that a responsible opposition party should strive to add value to the work of Government. We are not against the ANC Government for the sake of this “fight back†mentality! In fact we are not against anybody. We are simply pro-South Africa.
We will support the Government on those issues where we feel it is doing a good job. This does not mean that we will get into bed with it like the NNP. My style has not changed now that I've become a party leader. I will still expose corruption and fight for government accountability every time they go astray.
We will also look to expose the policy gaps where people's constitutional rights are not being protected. Just as important as policy development, however, is the implementation of it. The ID will provide oversight in ensuring that government departments implement the policy they draw up. The ID, however, is not going to develop knee-jerk policy, if there is a good current policy in place in a particular sphere, why should it be changed? Why not help to implement or start the necessary debates around implementation?
We have some of the most progressive policy in the world and our constitution is the envy of many countries, but it means nothing if we can't implement it. Lack of capacity must not be used as a glorified excuse for people not doing their jobs properly.
We believe in transparency. We feel that the public should be involved in decisions affecting them. That is why we are inviting comments and submissions from people with regards to the formulation of our policy documents in the ID.
The ID is not the exclusive domain of the party leaders or me; it is open to all who want to play a role in forging its identity. For these reasons it is imperative that we all speak the language of reconciliation, transformation and nation building. The ID, as part of fulfilling its duties as a responsible opposition party, must strive to build the bridges between communities, individuals, families, employers and employees, etc. This demands presence and maturity from all of us.
Conclusion
As students I believe that you are the future of this country. Many people before have said this, but I truly believe it. This is shown by the fact that six of the people on the interim leadership list of the ID are below the age of 35.
Politics is not the reserve of old people who have lost their youthful idealism yet believe that they are the only ones who can make a difference! We need a new brand of opposition politics in this country and I believe the youth will play an instrumental part in bringing it about.
The Independent Democrats is more than just a political party. It is up to all of us to make this country great and my hope is that the ID party will become a vehicle for all South Africans to achieve this dream.
I thank you.
Patricia de Lille
I believe, however, that it has more to do with a general disillusionment that the youth presently feels towards our current politics and politicians. Young people feel that they do not have enough information and knowledge concerning politics, and although such information will definitely invoke renewed interest in politics, they are nonetheless not willing to spend much time on the acquisition thereof. Those who do possess knowledge of the current political situation feel that they have no reason to become overly interested and involved in politics. This new generation (the youth) have no clear-cut political struggles and may lack motivation to become involved in politics, which still revolve around immediate post-Apartheid issues. They feel that new ideals, and especially the addressing of current issues on a local level, will renew interest. Generally then, the youth wants to be approached and recruited in a process more exciting- with more focus on action rather than planning, discussion and participation that will allow their involvement to result in visible change. I am aware that the youth is seeking for an organisation and opportunity through which to make a meaningful noise that generates visible and meaningful change.
Over the last few years the public has had to witness corruption, disinterest in the concerns of the electorate and political careerism on the part of politicians. Therefore, one can hardly blame people for not taking politicians seriously anymore. Students are always recognized to be in the forefront of pushing for change in society. It is important that politics be made an exciting process in which the youth can act as the agents of change, which they have been historically shown to be.
I am therefore hoping that you will join others and I today in the ID that together we shall bring about a quiet revolution in our current political landscape, and so take South African politics out of the rut that it has fallen into.
The Role of a Responsible Opposition Party
Please bear with me, I have already spoken for so long and I have not touched on the topic of my speech here today but this is what happens when you do not get enough speaking time in Parliament!
The title of my speech today is the role of a responsible opposition party, which I believe the Independent Democrats will prove itself to be over the coming year.
Other opposition parties in the country are sectorally and racially based, with not much chance of increasing their support outside their usual constituencies. They define themselves solely in terms of their opposition to the ANC. This has the effect of putting the narrow interests of the party ahead of those of the country.
In the ID, we believe that a responsible opposition party should strive to add value to the work of Government. We are not against the ANC Government for the sake of this “fight back†mentality! In fact we are not against anybody. We are simply pro-South Africa.
We will support the Government on those issues where we feel it is doing a good job. This does not mean that we will get into bed with it like the NNP. My style has not changed now that I've become a party leader. I will still expose corruption and fight for government accountability every time they go astray.
We will also look to expose the policy gaps where people's constitutional rights are not being protected. Just as important as policy development, however, is the implementation of it. The ID will provide oversight in ensuring that government departments implement the policy they draw up. The ID, however, is not going to develop knee-jerk policy, if there is a good current policy in place in a particular sphere, why should it be changed? Why not help to implement or start the necessary debates around implementation?
We have some of the most progressive policy in the world and our constitution is the envy of many countries, but it means nothing if we can't implement it. Lack of capacity must not be used as a glorified excuse for people not doing their jobs properly.
We believe in transparency. We feel that the public should be involved in decisions affecting them. That is why we are inviting comments and submissions from people with regards to the formulation of our policy documents in the ID.
The ID is not the exclusive domain of the party leaders or me; it is open to all who want to play a role in forging its identity. For these reasons it is imperative that we all speak the language of reconciliation, transformation and nation building. The ID, as part of fulfilling its duties as a responsible opposition party, must strive to build the bridges between communities, individuals, families, employers and employees, etc. This demands presence and maturity from all of us.
Conclusion
As students I believe that you are the future of this country. Many people before have said this, but I truly believe it. This is shown by the fact that six of the people on the interim leadership list of the ID are below the age of 35.
Politics is not the reserve of old people who have lost their youthful idealism yet believe that they are the only ones who can make a difference! We need a new brand of opposition politics in this country and I believe the youth will play an instrumental part in bringing it about.
The Independent Democrats is more than just a political party. It is up to all of us to make this country great and my hope is that the ID party will become a vehicle for all South Africans to achieve this dream.
I thank you.
Patricia de Lille
