Old Inherited Titles in a New Democracy

With Local Government Elections looming, Wendy Williams interrogates whether in our fairly new democracy, we should be holding on to old colonial-order inherited political office titles.

Alderman, Alderwoman, The Honourable, His or Her Worship the Mayor, Speaker, Chief Whip, Councillor and Freeman of the City.
These are some of the political, parliamentary and municipal titles and forms of address associated with British traditions of governance. Several were used in South Africa during the colonial and apartheid periods, while others have continued or developed within our democratic institutions.

Colonial-order Inherited Titles older than Apartheid

I personally thought that with the dawn of democracy in 1994, we would gradually move away from some of these inherited titles and consider replacing them with terminology that better reflects our own history, identity and democratic values.
We adopted a new Constitution, a new flag, a new national anthem and transformed many of our institutions. Yet much of the formal language and ceremonial tradition associated with earlier systems of government remains.

Of course, not all these titles originated during apartheid, nor are they necessarily symbols of apartheid. Some have much older British and European origins, and others serve legitimate parliamentary or administrative purposes.
But that does not mean we should never question their continued relevance?

Do Old Inherited Titles represent who we are as South Africans?

I have always believed that public office should be associated with service, humility and accountability rather than status, prestige or ceremonial recognition.
More than 30 years into our democracy, perhaps it is worth having a conversation about whether some of these inherited titles still represent who we are as South Africans.
We transformed our political institutions, but have we given enough thought to the language, traditions and titles we inherited?

Changing Old Inherited Titles won’t solve our challenges, but…

I am not suggesting that changing titles will solve the challenges facing our country. I am simply questioning whether our democratic identity should also be reflected in how we recognise and address those entrusted with public office.

Perhaps it is time for a distinctly South African approach.
What are your thoughts?