Thinking succession!!

 Politicians rely on credibility, credentials, and past performance or history to establish their right to seek legitimacy as public representatives. Conversely, societal leadership preferences have evolved beyond routine choices; they now reflect evidence and the ability to steer prospects, which is crucial for understanding current political dynamics. 

Because society has been organising itself around issues of public power management, the criteria for leadership have risen. This means that being a politician now involves adapting to shifting, non-fixed social norms that underpin the society they aim to serve. In South Africa, the multiple, diverse, multiracial or multicultural political economy and socioeconomic interests are increasingly reliant on the quality of political leadership. 

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It is no longer a secret that the country is in a warming-up succession battle for a leader in whom the executive authority of the republic would vest. The contest has Paul Mashatile as the person to beat, simply because he holds the vantage position to succeed Ramaphosa. This is an established convention, though often denied by contenders. 

Becoming a South African president is no longer solely reliant on the political party backing your candidacy. The numerous, increasingly popular political brands, which evidence shows are transforming the nature and structure of RSA political power, have elevated the individual seeking the presidency above the parties they originate from. 

This makes the analysis of individuals’ standing, availability, and perceptions of being in the race more about the person than the party they belong to. The reality of hung legislative chambers that nominate and elect a head of state, and at sub-national levels a provincial premier and a mayor to lead the executive, requires a forensic relationship with those who raise their hands.

The limited influence of political parties, given the reality that none will surpass the threshold to govern alone in several key areas of executive authority, notably the presidency, has made the presidency of South Africa a contest of individuals. The resources and infrastructure needed to influence society behind an individual have, for some time, focused more on the jockeys rather than the horses. 

The driving force behind voter choices is leadership preference, not the party s/he belong to. What is becoming increasingly important are the networks, past performance, and ethical standing of individuals in the race. Being president of a country influences social norms, meanings, and roles through the positive and negative costs linked to your actions, past or present. 

This brings us to the question of which of the leaders who are gathering around the starting blocks of South Africa’s presidential race we would want. The issue should be about ‘the Paul Mashatile’ or whoever we want. This will position who s/he is as a model, benchmark others can work to be better than. His/her credibility, credentials, integrity, and recorded performance as a leader serve as the criteria society can use to offer a glimpse of what life could be beyond Ramaphosa, with him/her in charge, fostering trust and respect among the audience.