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WINNING back people’s trust starts by listening to them, not doing more for them.

IS it possible to hold public figures to account in today’s South Africa? You would not think so if you follow debate on former Eskom chief executive officer Andre de Ruyter.

BECAUSE this country’s politics ignores most people, we should not be surprised when left-wing slogans championing the poor are used to support the demands of the better off.

MUCH of what passes for politics today in this country is really theatre – and mostly not the kind which moves or inspires people.

WATER, bread, sun and wind, are basics of daily life. But they matter a great deal to most South Africans, which may be why the national debate does not care much about them.

The national debate loves to talk about ‘merit’. This is often a code for undemocratic prejudice.

YELLING at the government without making clear demands is not enough to make citizen voices matter.

HOW do you get the people to trust you if you don’t trust them? The question is one the ANC still battles to answer.

AMIDST their often very loud disagreements, this country’s politicians – and some who report and comment on them – agree on one core point: they share contempt for the voters who keep them in their jobs.