Why more Jews should go into politics

As we go into the political season during the first quarter of 2023, we need to take a careful look at our own community and see whether any individual is interested in serving in a political position in either provincial or national governments.

All the political parties will be going through an intensive recruitment programme, and will be submitting their lists to their internal leadership for ranking. The ranking will determine who goes on to serve as a member of that political party in either the provincial or national legislature.

Our community has been involved politically since its inception 180 years ago. Although political service is often not a career of choice in this modern age, it’s something that should be considered and certainly, our community needs representation.

It’s not important to try and determine what political party our community will support, as we are a diverse group and have diverse interests. However, it’s important for there to be a Jewish voice within the ranks of all the various government structures in South Africa. We are, after all, equal citizens, and the South African Constitution does protect our rights.

This protection enshrined in the Constitution has to be translated from the text into everyday life. I find it necessary to speak up even in national Parliament at the various committee meetings whenever anything is said or done that borders on antisemitism.

Unfortunately, in the current political climate, Jewish involvement in organised politics is diminishing rapidly.

We do still have a few Jewish city councillors across the country, and a few representatives in provincial government. We have only four Jewish MPs, with very few Jewish contenders coming up through the ranks to take up seats in the future.

When speaking to young Jewish graduates, they all tell me that they would never consider such a career path (if it’s a career path). I believe it’s vital to have Jewish representation within political parties to ensure that our voice is heard, and that when antisemitism rears its ugly head, we can speak out. After all, the Jewish community is an integral part of our society.

I attended the service at the Gardens Synagogue in Cape Town on Friday, 18 November, and just before Shabbat, we were addressed by the mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis.

His speech was carefully crafted to appeal to the Jewish community to hold hands with the rest of society to ensure that Cape Town not only survives but thrives. Our mayor clearly identifies the Jewish community as an important and integral part of his success in the future.

My path into politics started when I first studied political science at Rhodes University and only later in life decided to take up the challenge of serving in Parliament.

Others like my colleague, Darren Bergman, chose to serve early on in his career, thereby allowing him to grow through the system and be able to serve for a longer period of time. It’s an individual choice, but as a community, we shouldn’t be closed to the future of civic duty.

I encourage active and enthusiastic members of our community to come forward to any political party of their choice if they have an interest in civic duty and political science.

Although civic service of this nature can often become frustrating – and even on occasion nerve-racking – the small successes are incredibly satisfying.

I’m more than happy to engage with anyone interested in such service. Jewish MPs Glynnis Breytenbach, Madeleine Hicklin, and Darren Bergman would more than likely be willing to engage and share some of their war stories. We have more than a dozen members of our community in the provincial parliaments and city councils who would likewise welcome discussions.

• Michael Bagraim is a member of parliament and deputy shadow minister for employment and labour.