No actual say, just an ‘x’ every 5 years …
South Africa and most of the world suffers the delusion of what is termed a “representational” democracy. You choose someone to represent you, and that’s it, no more say.
So politicians do what politicians & marketers are notorious for, they lie, cheat and connive to “win” your vote through deviousness and deception and then once elected their true colours become a little bit more visible. Are they accountable for changing sides and/or not doing what they promised? No, imagine that? A politician actually being held accountable, what would the world become?
By the way just about the only “direct or pure” democracy left, is Switzerland.