While there are many problems that can be caused by a lack of education among public representatives, it is a price that we pay for democracy, while qualifications do not indicate someone's real fitness for office.

So fractured and corrupt has much of our politics become that many people now reach for structural solutions to our problems. The latest suggestion comes from former president Thabo Mbeki, who believes Parliament should assess a person's capability before voting for them to be President. Capability and qualifications are not the problem. And Mbeki's hypocrisy will only serve as an example to others.

Nine days ago Mbeki told a conference in the Eastern Cape that the way in which our Presidents are elected (currently by the National Assembly in its first meeting after an election) is wrong.

He said that "the question is never asked if a President is capable and a fit and proper person", and went on: "When Parliament said I must become President, they did not have a clue what I was capable of doing, and they never asked."

Mbeki appears to be suggesting that MPs should consider what capabilities or qualifications a person has for the position of President....