Reneva Fourie
Prof. Eddy Maloka’s ‘The Case for the Second Republic: South Africa’s Second Chance’ presents a rather sombre narrative which compels radical solutions.
The term ‘Second Republic’ is a political and historical concept that typically refers to the second iteration of a republican form of government within a given country. The designation is used in political science and history to distinguish different phases in a nation’s republican governance, often following a collapse, revolution, or significant constitutional reform.
In articulating SA’s ‘failed state’ discourse, Prof Maloka highlights that the focus is not political legitimacy or the state’s ability to maintain control over its territory. It primarily revolves around the state’s growing inability to provide universal services due to institutional deterioration, widespread corruption, and economic decline. Accordingly, when advocating for a second republic, Professor Maloka offers interesting contextual information supporting the belief in our beloved country’s unavoidable decline.
He traces the historical path of state formation. He explores the transitional phase, shedding light on essential compromises made during that time. He also reflects on the various administrations that have emerged since the advent of democracy and the leadership that has influenced those governments. In so doing, he critiques the styles of former Presidents Mandela, Mbeki and Zuma. Developments within the ANC are central to his analysis, and Prof. Maloka candidly examines the reasons behind its struggle for renewal.
While he argues that our ‘starting point for change should be the ruins before our eyes’, Professor Maloka, importantly, acknowledges the ‘heavyweight of uncontrollable forces of history’. He warns of the dangers that these forces pose, making the book almost prophetic in its insights. It highlights a crisis of diversity management and the consequent deepening of racial nationalism. This warning is now manifesting in the form of a daring resurgence of white supremacy, which is mobilising against transformation, confirming that all is not well in our rainbow nation.
The book critically examines South Africa’s foreign policy over the past thirty years but does not unpack the role of external entities in shaping national policies. While foreign influence on domestic policy, in general, has always existed, the threat to our policy sovereignty has never been as pronounced as it is today. As part of an increasingly interconnected global community, it is crucial to assess the extent to which external factors contribute to the challenges facing the country.
Likewise, the development challenges stemming from the economy’s underlying structure, coupled with the persistent influence of patriarchal systems, have not been adequately examined. This intricate relationship warrants a deeper analysis, as the economic framework significantly shapes power dynamics and resource distribution, often perpetuating inequalities.
Furthermore, the entrenched nature of patriarchal norms continues to hinder progress, affecting not only women’s participation in the economy but also in critical decision-making spaces. Understanding these impediments is essential for formulating more effective development strategies that promote equity and inclusive growth.
The book is written in a compelling manner, which softens the blow of Professor Maloka’s radical proposal for championing a process of self-correction. He advocates for a comprehensive re-evaluation of our entire governance structure, encompassing aspects such as reviewing proportional representation and provincial systems and potentially crafting a new constitution.
The book also provides a series of more conventional recommendations to reverse our ‘state of regression’, which I strongly encourage everyone to read and internalise, in line with his argument that communities must be at the centre of effecting change. The recommendations are both feasible and attainable. Their significance is paramount if we are genuinely committed to restoring our country to a trajectory of prosperity and must be considered at the impending National Dialogue.
The urgency of addressing these proposed solutions is succinctly articulated in a quotation from the book, ‘If we do not take action to arrest and reverse this declining trend now, we will find ourselves, a century from now, still moving in circles’. The book offers valuable insights on how we can achieve meaningful change and serve as a guide for active engagement to drive the process of change forward.
* Dr Reneva Fourie is a policy analyst specialising in governance, development and security and co-author of the book ‘The Art of Power: Pursuing Liberation and Nation-building’.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.