Red-alert Status of Legislature
Clashes between members of the legislature are as old as modern democracy. In some countries, we have seen their legislatures erupt in a brawl. In our own, memory is still etched in our minds of how just more than a decade ago, former ANC MP Johnny de Lange sent National Party MP Manie Schoeman to the floor witha left hook right inside our National Assembly.
The sight, seen on national television, was incongruos with the Assembly's stately image. I was reminded of that incident by the scuffle that recently broke out at the Gauteng legislature. The Speaker had seen red (excuse the pun) after Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) from the Economic Freedom Fighters appeared in the House in their red overalls. She regarded their attire as inappropriate and ordered them to leave the House. Their defiance led to police being called in to evict them and thus a scuffle broke out. Thankfully, it was confined to the police and EFF MPLs, though that does not make it acceptable.
I will not be drawn into what is appropriate attire for the legislature, there should be rules governing this, but what I do know is that Gauteng is faced with many, and serious, challenges other than the clothing of MPLs. One could give allowance if the fiasco erupted because of the highly divisive and complex issues that confront us a province. It is a pity that what was supposed to be a debate on Premier David Makhura's State of the Province address was nearly overshadowed by this sideshow.
A Gauteng resident clearly disapproving of the behaviour, was heard on a radio talk show saying that in future, breathalysers might be needed in the chamber to test that alcohol levels of the honourable members. To him, the rowdiness and chaos had turned the chamber into a pub. But the dumbing down of the decorum that goes with the legislature started two or so weeks ago in the National Assembly during the State of the Nation address delivered by President Jacob Zuma. While there were members who observered decorum, others had to be called to order several times for their choices of words.
EFF members left the House in sympathy with their leader Julius Malema who defied NCOP chair Thandi Modise's ruling that he apologise for a remark he'd made. I am not sure if the EFF would want to be known for the number of times they would be thrown out of the legislatures or for their robust engagement of policies and the tools of the analysis they employ in interrogating policy. To be fair to our legislators, they, like any individuals in the workplace, are also prone to stress and anger.
The confrontational nature of politics and the high stakes often involved add to the tension and pressure. Be that as it may, I believe it would do them well, when during their robust interactions, and they respond rather than react to each other. Though the two words are similar, the difference between them is significant. When you react, you are being controlled by external circumstances: another person or their words. When you respond, you are in control of yourself and your emotions. Put somewhat differently, reactions generate a lof of heat, but very little if any light. Unfortunately, we have seen frequent manifestations of this from our legislators in the past couple of weeks and we are only at the beginning of this electoral term.
During the State of the Nation Address debate, there were flashes of responses I enjoyed and that I need to single out. The Deputy Minister of Higher Education Mdudzi Manana came across very well and without the slightest ruffle of temper.
Even when he addressed his opponents he was calm and deliberate - something I found fascinating, given his relative youth. The young are often hot-blooded, fervent and fiery. He displayed none of these and came across as a master of his thought process. Then there was Dr. Pallo Jordan, who, when there was a cynical welcoming of him from the opposition benches, was not ruffled.
Instead he said "Thank you" and delivered his speech with dignity, strength of character and a sense of power. So, in the midst of the heat and reactions we see in our legislatures there are cool heads and politicians who know how to respond. Legislators serve a higher purpose and, by virtue of their work, they are always in the public eye. They would do themselves, the public and the institutions in which they serve well if they were to take time learning how to respond, even under extreme provocation, instead of reacting.
