Mixed views on people electing their president directly

Following the Zondo commission's recommendation that calls for the scrapping of the current electoral system in favour of an option that will see the public directly electing their president outside of the political party, Sowetan took to the streets of Johannesburg to get people's views on this suggestion.

Vusi Kunene, 22 

''I do not support that process. You might find people electing someone who did not go to school or who has little political experience. It is better for the political party to choose its presidential candidate because they know who in their party is capable of doing a good job and who has grown politically.’’

Victoria Ngobese, 31

''I would support that way of voting. When a person is voted for directly, that candidate will know that they should listen to the people who voted for them and not their political party. That person will go out of their way to even bring people who are not affiliated to any party to work with them in the government.’’

Lucky Ndlovu, 27

''I do not agree with the suggestion because we might elect a dictator. Political parties have structures and this helps them to screen their members before giving them a position of big responsibility. However, when a person is elected directly, he might get power-hungry and believe they are untouchable.’’

Christinah Matsheletja, 59

''I used to vote for the ANC and later switched to the EFF. I have tried different political parties. Maybe it is time to give an independent individual a chance. People who are in a political party are more concerned about money than the needs of the people. A person elected by the voters themselves will have to sit down with the people and not take instructions from elsewhere. The person voted in will come up with their own policies and not those of the party.’’

Deliwe Mapeka, 54

''A person that is directly elected will have to listen to us. They will have to meet with ordinary citizens, speak with them, hear their views and from time to time give them feedback on the work they are doing as a leader. This system will allow for direct communication between president and the community.’’

Tumisang Bopape, 20

''That system will not be a good idea at all because a potential presidential candidate can bribe people to vote for them. He or she can give people they know money in exchange for votes. This is will lead to corruption. It will lead to buying of votes. Under the current system, it is not easy for a member within a party to bribe voters because that person is accountable to a party.’’

Lucky Sixolo, 61

''I do not support allowing voters to directly elect a president because people who have lots of money will be the ones who have a greater chance of being elected. Voters will give their support to a candidate that is famous and is wealthy. An ordinary grassroots activist, who is hardworking but not well known and does not have money, will not be voted for because of their financial status.’’