South Africa’s political landscape currently incentivizes lengthy tenures for politicians, prioritizing remaining in power over effective service delivery. The current system fails to reward those who exit public office cleanly, fostering a culture of clinging to positions. A proposed “radical reset” involves implementing term limits to restrict how long individuals can hold office. This reform would also include “cooling-off periods” preventing immediate return to politics after leaving a post, and a deferred pay structure. The goal is to make leaving public service genuinely more attractive than perpetually remaining in it. Ultimately, these changes aim to refocus politicians on serving the public rather than self-preservation and career longevity.