1. OSISA-TIA Radio Collaboration Draft Brief for Country Debates April 2012
Money Power Sex Debate Series: Has Democracy Brought Blind Hope?
Background
All over the world, democracy is pitched as the ultimate salvation of the state. It is the panacea for
political problems; the benchmark for social progress; the pathway to economic success. In African
countries, the notion of democracy rode the high-spirited coattails of independence. With national
government structures freed from the heavy presence of colonial masters, democracy promised an
era of state-sanctioned freedom: one in which citizens could claim their power to get what they
need, from governments that they want – governments that were answerable to people, not the
other way around.
But today, this hopefulness is steadily giving way to frustration with leadership that is anything but
answerable. Such frustration is building alongside the awareness of how Africa still remains, in many
ways, colonised by the West and increasingly by emerging powers such as China. As the callous
power of the global economic system becomes more evident, the tantalising promises of democracy
ring more hollow.
Political personalities have often been the scapegoats for this disenchantment, but scrutiny is
increasingly paid to the paradox of systems that promise freedom while sustaining – and in many
cases, reinforcing – inequality. Even among what are regarded as Africa’s most established
democracies, systemic inequalities along the age-old lines of gender and race persist with breath-
taking candour.
Seun Kuti, Nigerian musician and son of the late Fela Kuti, references this disenchantment when
explaining the inspiration behind his latest album, ‘From Africa with Fury’ – a title he chose to
convey the building frustration of young African people with a system that has failed them at all
levels. Kuti says, “In Africa we do not have leaders, we have rulers. These rulers first serve the
interest of multinational corporations and western powers before they consider the welfare of their
people. People had forgotten this. Democracy brought some blind hope…”
These debates will explore the questions: has democracy brought blind hope? How do the triumphs
and failures of democracy manifest around the axes of money, power and sex? Do deeper problems
with global economic dynamics get overshadowed by the hyped-up pursuit of national
‘democracies’?
The questions are not just public, but also profoundly personal. How does the idea of ‘democracy’
interact with more deeply-rooted prejudices, such as patriarchy or homophobia? What is the role of
the individual in sustaining political systems, for better or worse?
Most importantly, if democracy has brought real hope, how can this be strengthened to redress
inequalities? But if it has brought blind hope, where is the real hope to be found? These questions
and more will be examined in light of current affairs in each of the countries where debates will be
taking place, all of which are identified as ‘democracies’: Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

2. OSISA-TIA Radio Collaboration Draft Brief for Country Debates April 2012
South Africa
As one of the last countries in the continent to gain independence from white minority rule, South
Africa’s peaceful transition to democracy in 1994 was celebrated as a landmark success in the
African struggle for freedom and equality. South Africa is not only held up as the shining example of
a successful African democracy, but also possesses one of the most liberal constitutions in the world,
with freedom of expression and assembly in the country unlike anywhere else in the continent. But
despite all of this, the reality of many South Africans when it comes to basic public services such as
health, education and housing, is not a pretty one.
While democracy heralded the end of institutionalised racial oppression, the sustained economic
oppression that characterised the apartheid era persists to this day. The gap between South Africa’s
richest and poorest is the biggest of any country in the world. Black Economic Empowerment (BEE),
aimed at redressing this inequality which was initially manifested along racial lines, has only
managed to enrich a select elite. Tensions around ownership of land and mineral wealth hang over
public discourse, and have contributed to an unprecedented rift between the youth league of the
ruling party, and its elders.
This debate will explore the question “Has democracy brought blind hope?” as it relates to the
dynamics of wealth in South Africa. The following questions could be posed:
- Is there more power in your vote or in your bank account?
- Are changes in political leadership enough to create successful democracies? Why or why
not; and how does this lead us along the path towards equality?
- If simply changing political leadership is not enough, are more large-scale economic
interventions needed – such as the nationalisation of mines that has been advocated for by
the ANC Youth League? Why and what could such interventions look like in South Africa?
- Is the democratic system, as it currently stands, able to accommodate such interventions?
- What is a possible solution?
- How do South African youth feel about inequality in their society? Do they avoid it, accept it
or confront it? How and why?
- Nomalanga Mkhize, a historian and public intellectual recently suggested “class suicide” as
the biggest meaningful step that middle-class black South Africans can take to make a
difference. Do you see this as a step in the right direction? Do you see it as one that would
gather support?
- The criticism has arisen in South Africa (as in many countries across the continent) that
people are quick to blame government for their troubles, but slow to self-organise. Is this
true or false and why? How could and should it change?
- Thinking back to a few decades ago, do you think that young people today have the same
sense of political agency? How is this tied to the realities of democracy and inequality?
- Would you want to re-imagine a different system of governance for South Africa – if so,
what would it be; and what practical steps could be taken in that direction?

3. OSISA-TIA Radio Collaboration Draft Brief for Country Debates April 2012
Kenya
Kenya, long regarded as one of the most stable democracies on the continent, shocked the
world in 2008 when then-incumbent president refused to concede power, a move that triggered
civil violence and bloodshed. A power-sharing agreement between the presidential rivals was
brokered as a solution to this crisis, a move that, it has been alleged, allowed both sides to
sweep the post-election violence under the rug.
In response, the International Criminal Court singled out four high-level political figures that are
thought to be responsible for masterminding the post-election violence, and have laid charges
against them for crimes against humanity. On one hand this has been praised as a blow to
impunity, particularly as the list includes some of the country’s wealthiest elite. On the other
hand, it raises a question of whether a democracy can be considered legitimate in the absence
of effective systems for justice.
The ICC trial is just one of many issues complicating the landscape as 2013 elections approach.
With the recent announcement of oil in the country, the costly war with Somalia, and the
country’s long-standing battle with corruption, 2013 elections are sure to be heated.
This debate will explore the question “Has democracy brought blind hope?” in light of young
Kenyans’ past experiences with elections; views on their country’s democratic system; and
hopes and fears for 2011. The following questions could be posed:
- What has democracy meant to the daily lives of Kenyans over the years?
- In the context of the 2008 post-election violence – do you think societies can function as
democracies when their justice systems are lacking?
- What are your views on the ICC indictment of Kenyan leaders? What impact is this likely to
have on how people conduct themselves in future elections?
- Do you believe ‘power sharing’ has worked for Kenya? Why or why not?
- In the light of 2007/8 and things that have unfolded since – how do feel about the 2013
elections? Will they bring an opportunity for meaningful change?
- How do you foresee the discovery of oil potentially affecting these elections?
- Do you think that young Kenyans are politically active enough? Why or why not? What role
could/should they be playing the country’s future.
- Would you want to re-imagine a different system of governance for Kenya – if so, what
would it be; and what practical steps can be taken in that direction?

4. OSISA-TIA Radio Collaboration Draft Brief for Country Debates April 2012
Ghana
Ghana was the first African colony to gain independence from European rule, and has since
cemented its position as one of Africa’s model democracies. In the lead-up to elections in late
2012, a Germany-based index that is used to monitor ‘good governance’ worldwide recently
ranked Ghana at number 19 out of 128 countries worldwide for political transformation.
But this political transformation has not filtered down to the lives of many women in Ghana,
where, to quote the recent words of a regional minister, “women's emancipation is still "several
miles away" from the "finishing line". This is manifested in the struggle to improve access to
education for women in Ghana – not just due to lack of resources, but also the lack of cultural
appreciation for education of the girl-child. Witch hunts in Ghana, in which communities target
women for nebulous crimes, are also on the rise. The most recent case involved a teenage girl
who was driven out of her community under accusations of using witchery to gain her
exceptional intelligence.
Democracy gave rise to the establishment of a ministry specifically dedicated to the rights of
women and children – but the small budget means that the Ministry’s programmes are largely
dependent on donors. The Deputy Minister, however, recently blamed ‘religion and culture’ for
the continued human rights abuses of women in Ghana.
This debate will explore the question “Has democracy brought blind hope?” in light of the status
of women in one of Africa’s most stable democracies. The following questions could be posed:
- Can democracy work for women in the context of patriarchal societies? What has the
Ghanaian experience been?
- How do religion and culture interact with Ghana’s democratic system? What does this mean
for the women of Ghana?
- Do young people today still hold onto religious and cultural views that reinforce patriarchy?
How do they reconcile this with other ‘modern’ views around democracy, freedom and
equality?
- At the start of the 20th century, one of Africa’s most famed warrior queens, Yaa Asantewaa,
famously admonished Ghanaian men for their cowardice in confronting colonial powers. She
subsequently took over leadership of the Ashanti rebellion against the British, until she was
finally exiled. Asantewaa is still celebrated in Ghana today – but has her legacy survived?
What are some positive stories of women’s emancipation and leadership in Ghana’s present-
day democracy?
- Would you want to re-imagine a different system of governance for Ghana – if so, what
would it be; and what practical steps can be taken in that direction?