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I did say earlier that it is not about who governs but how they govern! This is very confusing in South Africa because of our apartheid past. If we are white and we don’t vote ANC it’s because we obviously want to go back to an apartheid South Africa and if we are black and we don’t want to vote ANC we are traitors. I think I understand this turmoil in our young democracy because many people have a blind allegiance to those who worked since 1912 to free this country from white supremacists whose ideas ended up forming an apartheid government based on these white supremacy laws!!
Who would you vote for today if you had come from a disadvantaged background and let’s be honest here if at all possible. At this point you would have to look at who is governing and not how they govern! Our ANC government does come from an honourable background. The ANC election 1994 Manifesto can be found here; It’s worth the read (http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/policy/manifesto.html)
And this is the preamble to our South Africa Constitution!
We, the people of South Africa, Recognize the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land;
Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic so as to —
Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights; Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law;
Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person - Build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations. May God protect our people.
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso. God seen Suid-Afrika. God bless South Africa. Mudzimu fhatushedza Afurika. Hosi katekisa Afrika.
So what happened, what went wrong!! I’ll always remember listening to one of Mandela’s early speeches in the 1990’s and he clearly stated that the new government must guard against becoming ‘Fat Cats’ something which has clearly happened in our present situation. Read the books on other African authors and heads of State Seghor, Ahmadou Kourouma, Aime Cesaire and you will realise that in the 1960’s much was being said about post colonialist governments in Africa and colonies; Dictatorships that killed more people than colonialism ever did and the awful stories of child soldiers fighting for these corrupt regimes. At least we are no where near there!! We have to believe that Idi Amin and Mugabe are a dying bread of African leaders and that these new leaders will truly want what’s good for the people. Taking all the riches while governing a poor country will render that country uninhabitable and we know this with all the Zimbabweans living here. Governing a rich country and caring about the people will create a prosperous country for all who live in it including government who will get taxes from more people!!
This is South Africa and it is 2010 and it is time to educate the people of this country. Its time for ordinary citizens who were promised a say in the government;
An Open Society (ANC 1994 manifesto)
The ANC will strive for an open society that encourages vigorous debate. People must be free to express their views without fear, including criticizing the government of the day. Freedom of the media will be essential for a flourishing of democracy.
To stand up and tell the ANC that they must change their ways, stop corruption and despotism without feeling they are traitors. It is time for a new party of young African leaders who are representative of all South Africans to come out of the embers of a dying dysfunctional government and lead, not based on the past where the bitterness of the past affects your ways. Where you think you are owed a living because of what apartheid did for you but because of the future, a bright future! Where there is enough riches to go round to all South Africans and we truly understand the meaning of all South Africans who live here and that we stop blaming the apartheid government for present problems but we find solutions for the future. We stop allowing the fat cats to enrich themselves while still insisting that all the wealth is in the hands of the whites. Government clearly holds the purse strings and tenders are rigged and given to ANC family and cohorts!!
Lets be honest again - BEE is a fantastic concept to right the injustices of the passed but it is not constitutional. Its sole purpose is to improve the previously disadvantaged who are now advantaged pockets and the real disadvantaged are still poor and without proper education and sanitation. It places people in teams and work situations where they are clearly not qualified and ready for those responsibilities but it allows government to sit back and not take real responsibility for the people of this country. Equal opportunities stems from education. Educate the masses in the classrooms and on the sports fields. Award the education tenders to those who truly want to make a difference and not to BEE who come in at triple the price and never deliver. Don’t change the new less qualified teachers but mentor them to become great and inspiring and willing. Don’t talk JZ about 1 GOAL in Africa when we are still burning our schools in South Africa in this day and age!! If we truly educate in the classroom and on the sports field our students will not destroy their future by senseless acts. We will not need BEE because out of our masses will arise full potential of all South Africans who will achieve in spite of their back grounds. Our swimmers may be white and our basket ballers may be black but we won’t care as long as they play with passion and love for this country. Our academics will be totally representative of all South Africans because equal opportunities began in the classroom, tenders weren’t squandered and teachers made a difference. Jobs will go to those on merit and dedication!
Let’s stand up and make one noise, keep flying our flag and shout for education!
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