As we approach the general elections on Wednesday 8 May, we must acknowledge that the key issue in these elections is the accountability of future politicians in South Africa. The core of our problems lies in failed governance in the state and government institutions.

We need trustworthy lawyers, accountants, police officers, prosecutors and engineers appointed in their respective posts, following strict governance protocols and procedures.

Only the ANC under President Ramaphosa can facilitate the reform of the parliamentary electoral laws to establish the individual accountability of politicians. This will ensure that Cabinet ministers, MPs and directors of state institutions are held strictly accountable. Wrongdoing by politicians and government officials will no longer be rewarded, but will lead to arrests, prosecutions and prison.

The Economic Freedom Fighters, led by Julius Malema, cannot bring about clean governance in the state and government institutions. Instead, we most likely to would go the Venezuela or Zimbabwe route, which will massively undermine the economy and people’s living standards. We might have to queue for bread and petrol under an EFF government. There will be no guarantee of law and order or freedom of speech.

Under Mmusi Maimane, the Democratic Alliance in government would still be operating in the shadow of its white liberal past. With more than 60% of the candidates on their parliamentary lists being white, DA cannot transform our society when it has not transformed itself. It has not yet managed the need for transformation from its former white-controlled past to a non-racial and non-sexist future. The departure of Patricia de Lille is an indication that the party cannot accommodate and accept independent non-white patriots.

Only the ANC can take the country forward to prosperity, with a clean candidate list excluding those implicated in the State Capture inquiry, those captured by the Guptas and Watsons, and the looters of VBS bank.

I am trusting that Cyril Ramaphosa will see this as his first duty on assuming office as elected president, with a strong mandate from the people in his own name — and not that of Jacob Zuma — to clean up the mess he inherited.

This is why I will vote ANC, led by President Ramaphosa. DM