The reason liberalism has not succeeded in capturing the minds of most South Africans is not because it is inherently socially isolated, but rather because its proponents are not making enough effort to genuinely introduce this school of thought to the majority of South Africans in a way that they would find appealing. The recent controversy surrounding spaza shops which provide the masses of the people in South Africa with expired and fake goods is an excellent illustration of putting the aforementioned premise to the test.
The majority of people affected by this issue live in rural and township regions, while some suburbs are also affected. Prominent liberal South African think tanks, such as the South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR) and the Free Market Foundation (FMF), along with our explicitly liberal political party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) – a liberal party that I also am a member of – are undoubtedly not contributing as much to this entire ‘spazas’ matter as they might. Yet most people in South Africa are undoubtedly greatly impacted and concerned by the spazas issue, especially in rural and township areas where purchasing from these establishments is the norm.
For the past few weeks, reports have appeared in tabloids, newspapers, radio, television, and other media outlets about some children who reportedly died, and some who were hospitalised after consuming allegedly expired and counterfeit supplies from spazas, most (if not all) of which are owned and operated by foreigners. These reports have shocked most people who depend on spazas for their daily food needs.
Concerns
Residents in Rainbow Park where I live, a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Polokwane, have a WhatsApp group where people frequently talk about and share concerns pertaining to the neighbourhood and adjacent areas. The topic of spazas has dominated the group’s conversations over the past few days. There is a spaza in our area owned by a foreign national, which locals had previously enthusiastically supported – until the recent media scandals.
A potential mass boycott of the spaza is currently being discussed in the WhatsApp group. The government of the day does not thoroughly regulate spazas, or at least the products sold there, and the residents do not want their children, themselves, or anyone else in the area to suffer the same fate as children in other areas, as we have read, seen, and heard in media reports.
There are naturally many other communities throughout the country organising to boycott their neighbourhood spazas now; Rainbow Park is just one of them. Moreover, there have been numerous accounts in the media from various other areas about how locals are actively forcing the closure of spazas and driving away their operators. This is particularly evident in situations wherein spazas are owned and operated by foreigners.
Closer
Imagine how much closer the DA would be to the majority of South Africans if it actively and thoroughly collaborated with locals in the many communities where spazas are located, and assisted them in finding a solution for the pressing issue. The DA should make representations in Parliament and other significant legislative areas, of course, but also work directly and cooperatively with people to develop answers. Then more South Africans would give the DA an ear the next time it speaks out. That is something I am positive about.
If the FMF and IRR consciously took an interest in a problem like this – one that directly impacts on the lives of most South Africans ̶ and helped create solutions for the issues, imagine how many more people would lend them an ear the next time they spoke.
Without a question, liberalism – and classical liberalism in particular, in my view – offers the finest answers to the numerous issues facing our society. Yet the largest barrier to liberalism’s rise in South Africa is its proponents’ failure to engage with the mass of the populace sufficiently to address some of issues that are dearest to their hearts and minds.
We need to address (and be seen and felt to be addressing) issues that are important to our people, if we are to succeed in bringing them to liberalism.
The lives of people could be in jeopardy if business carries on as usual at spazas. That is why, while I personally oppose violence, I support all boycotts that are being conducted.
Free-market economy
A free-market economy is ideal, but not when certain participants endanger and jeopardise the lives of others. Any sane liberal would recognise that in these situations, the state must step in. However, the general populace must keep in mind that they have greater power than the government and they can withhold their money, allowing hazardous businesses to fail from a lack of sales. This is what is going on in the Rainbow Park community and other communities that are staging boycotts; these communities are using their influence to directly address the pressing issue that the government is failing to address in their neighbourhoods.
Communism and socialism did not one day suddenly gain traction in South Africa. The proponents of communism and socialism sought ties with individuals and communities, which helped these schools of thought to gain popularity.
Liberal proponents must also strengthen ties with individuals and communities, if liberal support is to grow in South Africa. Instead of addressing problems and formulating answers in isolation, liberal proponents need to unite with the majority of the population – of course, without taking away every person’s individuality.
A good start? Demonstrating unmistakable solidarity in these trying times when a lot of people in the country are upset and worried about an issue that impacts them and poses a danger to their very lives.
The views of the writer are not necessarily the views of the Daily Friend or the IRR
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