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DEMOCRACY is a funny, fickle thing.

I was raised in an era where the word democracy conjured thoughts of unity and a feeling of mass euphoria We believe that elusive word the voiceless masses yearned for, democracy, would solve all our problems. I believe I did my bit to ensure the arrival of this much awaited ideology. I saw democracy as a knight in shining armour, who would come to the rescue of those who would need it most.

That is, of course, if we believed in the same things as the majority of people around us. But if by some chance we started doubting in decisions of the majority of people, does it turn into a numbers game? At what point does democracy lose its valour?

In October, the launch of residents' courts committees was postponed, because too few people turned up to form a decision making quorum.

Then at a recent residents' association annual general meeting, only 13 residents turned up to vote and to have their say about important issues in the area.

Out of this meeting, eight individuals were elected to make decisions about what they believe is important for the thousands of residents who live in the area.

A short while later, a youth forum to represent all the youngsters of greater Retreat sported 30 people ? a fraction of the youth it would represent.

This week, at the launch of the 16 Days of activism against violence against women and children campaign, the meeting had limited success because too few women arrived to find out how to stop the violence in their homes.

But what has truly started people talking ? to the extent that letters are written by the dozen and a public meeting may be called to hear the voices of the masses ? is the possibility of getting drunk on a Sunday at your local shebeen this Christmas, without the fear of going to jail.

Democracy, that jaded knight we once all fought for, has been called to ride again.

This time, though, the community is not rallying for decent housing, safer streets, free and quality education or a drug free environment.

This year's 16 Days of activism against violence against women and children has taken a back-seat to a new priority in the area.

Democracy is a funny, fickle thing. Letters on both sides of this opinion poll have been arriving in a steady, unstoppable flow, with no end in sight. So, one wonders on what side this poll is rising ? and who will be cheering at the outcome? And for how long?

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