By Umamah Bakharia

Parliament is currently considering what is arguably the single most important piece of legislation before it since the dawn of democracy, writes One South Africa Movement’s Mudzuli Rakhivhane.

She says in an opinion piece that OSA believes strongly in the ability of independent candidates of all races, classes and genders to act as agents of significant change in all levels of government by functioning to counteract the current status quo of politics and governance in South Africa.

Rakhivhane speaks to Radio Islam on what the bill amendment could mean for the election process.

“It has to be meaningful and substantial changes,” says Rakhivhane.

She adds: “the system that [parliament] has placed makes it difficult for independent candidates and in some ways also exclude independent candidates from even sections of parliament itself.”

A few years ago, the constitutional court argued that the act is unconstitutional because it does not provide for independent candidates. The bill was then sent to Parliament for correction that should include independent candidates in the electoral system.

Parliament has until June to amend the bill as the standing committee of Home Affairs is getting public input on their views regarding the bill.

“We urge all South Africans [as] this is so important because it literally would change the way we vote in this country moving forward in terms of our MPs and the provincial legislature,” says Rakhivhane.

However, Rakhivhane says parliament is stalling on implementing the changes as they are behind schedule.

One Movement South Africa, under the leadership of Mmusi Maimane, is focused on independent electoral reform and the future of the educational system by increasing the pass percentage mark.