The role of political will in promoting social cohesion in South Africa

By: Lizzy Ofusori

Political will is an important factor that can enhance social cohesion worldwide, including South Africa. This is even more important due to its influence on socio-economic activities. Political will and social cohesion are two crucial elements in the functioning and development of societies around the world. They play pivotal roles in shaping the political landscape, policies, and the overall well-being of a nation’s citizens. While distinct concepts, they are intimately connected, as the presence of political will often influences the level of social cohesion within a society and vice versa. This introduction will explore these concepts individually and then delve into their interplay.
Political Will refers to the determination and commitment of political leaders, institutions, and governments to address pressing issues and pursue policies that align with the nation’s best interests. It involves the resolve to take decisive actions, allocate resources, and implement reforms in order to achieve specific goals. Political will is critical for addressing complex challenges, such as poverty reduction, environmental conservation, healthcare reform, and social justice.

Without strong political will, even well-conceived policies may languish, and societal progress may stall.
Social Cohesion is the degree of unity, trust, and solidarity within a society. It is the glue that holds a community or nation together, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose among its members. High levels of social cohesion can lead to increased social capital, reduced crime rates, and enhanced overall well-being. Conversely, low social cohesion can result in division, conflict, and instability, hampering a society’s ability to address its challenges effectively.

In an increasingly polarized and diverse world, enhancing social cohesion has become a critical objective for political leaders and policymakers. Social cohesion refers to the degree of unity and integration within a society where individuals from different backgrounds, beliefs, and identities coexist peacefully and collaboratively. A cohesive society is more stable, resilient, economically prosperous, and capable of effectively addressing shared challenges.
However, achieving and maintaining social cohesion is a complex task that requires thoughtful political will. Political leaders play a pivotal role in shaping the social fabric of their nations, and their decisions and actions can either promote or hinder social cohesion. By addressing social divisions, fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting shared values, political leaders can help create a more cohesive and harmonious society.

Below are some of the ways political will can contribute to the promotion of social cohesion:
• Reconciliation process: Establishing the process of reconciliation is a crucial aspect of social cohesion in South Africa. Notable political leaders can use their influence to facilitate processes such as truth and reconciliation commissions, memorialization, and public apologies, which can help heal the wounds of apartheid and promote a sense of justice and closure.
• Government of inclusiveness: Political will involves using governance structure to establish and promote social cohesion, especially in countries such as South Africa with the country’s diverse population. Inclusiveness in governance includes appointing leaders from various backgrounds and ensuring that decision-making activities are all-encompassing. Inclusivity helps foster trust and a sense of belonging among all citizens.
• Formulation and implementation of policy: Policies require political will to address historical injustices and reduce socio-economic inequalities. This includes policies related to education, healthcare, housing, and employment opportunities. Political leaders can prioritize these issues and allocate resources to bridge the gaps between various communities.
• Cordial social interaction: Political will involves ensuring social interaction among the populace irrespective of the socio-cultural backgrounds and enforcing laws that protect the rights of everyone living in the society against discrimination and human rights abuses. Leaders must demonstrate a commitment to upholding these principles and holding accountable those who violate them, regardless of their background or status.
• Promotion of socially inclined activities: Part of the duties of political leaders is to ensure social stability among their populace by promoting activities that support socialization, tolerance, diversity, and understanding among South Africans. Curriculum development and public awareness campaigns can help create a more inclusive and informed society. Also, activities such as social programs, cultural events, and sports activities that bring people from different backgrounds together and foster a sense of community can be encouraged by political leaders.
• Open and constructive dialogue: For social cohesion to be maintained across the country, dialogue among the diverse population is part of the political tools that can be employed. It involves ensuring political leaders encourage and facilitate open and constructive dialogue between different groups within society. This can be done through forums, community meetings, and initiatives that bring people together to discuss common concerns and find solutions to shared problems.
• Socio-economic advancement: Socio-economic development in areas prone to discrimination or marginalization is needed to promote social cohesion. This step involves political will by leaders at various facets of society. Policies promoting social cohesion must be implemented to encourage economic growth. Economic empowerment can help reduce disparities and create a more equitable society.
• Global associations: Global interactions with neighbouring countries based on the existing inter-regional policies can help advance social cohesion among the citizenry. For instance, when utilized and explored, South Africa’s foreign policy can help promote social cohesion. Neighbouring Countries should have a peaceful co-existence that can translate into regional stability and cooperation, which can positively impact domestic social cohesion.
• Eradicating bad behaviors that can erode trust: Bad behavious such as corruption, nepotism, and marginalization can erode trust in government and exacerbate social divisions. Political leaders should demonstrate good virtue in areas requiring high moral standards. It takes leaders with political will to show significant commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring transparency and accountability in government institutions.
• Conflict Resolution: Conflict is sometimes inevitable due to the populace’s diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. The onus lies on the political gladiators to promote co-existence among her folds. Political will on the part of the leaders enhances the process of addressing and resolving conflicts that may arise due to social, economic, or political tensions. Leaders can use mediation and negotiation to prevent these conflicts from escalating and disrupting social cohesion.

In conclusion, political will plays a vital role in countries as complex in history and heterogeneous as South Africa in promoting social cohesion among its populace. Political leaders are supposed to be sensitive to the yearnings of the people and ensure policies and initiatives that address historical inequalities, encourage inclusivity and foster a sense of unity among diverse communities are prioritized above any other factors.

Dr. Lizzy Oluwatoyin Ofusori is a postdoctoral research fellow at the School of Management, IT and Governance, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. She writes in her capacity.