By Liz Molomo
Watching silently from the side-lines over the last few months, as our country slowly unravels, many feel the restlessness of a nation at war with itself. It is not a war of guns and bombs. Neither is it a war of the pen and the sword. It is a war of words, slung for political point-scoring, with the hope that a mindless black electorate will be won over by the facade that is our current political leadership and vote them back into government come 2014. It is a war that bases itself on the premise that black South Africans are insane. An insanity born from our collective bad habit of voting for the ANC.
In my moments of naivety, I question the necessity of government, and why governments in Africa particularly are so badly run. On the verge of becoming an anarchist and wholeheartedly deciding that governments are an unnecessary evil, I came across a definition of what government is that struck a chord. Tim O’Reilly defines government, at its core, to be about doing together that which we cannot do alone. It is within this context that I now understand how deeply flawed our national psyche is in relation to our government. We do not vote a party or person into power. We vote them into service. We need a radical shift in our national thinking. A shift away from the flawed premise that we are subjects to the power of the government to the understanding that the government is subject to our power.
In the interests of brevity, I shall not delve too deeply into the current malaise of the ANC, save to say that “the revolution has devoured its children”. A phrase coined by the French counter-revolutionary Jacques Mallet du Pan, in reference to the terror unleashed by French revolutionaries in the name of liberty, equality and fraternity. Those that once led a nation out of the grip of royal tyranny took power and themselves became the tyrants. History is replete with examples of leaders who were once heroic liberators and turned arrogant tyrants. As our current reality in South Africa unfolds, it is clear that our revolution has begun to feed on its own children.
When a disconnected ruling party finds itself embroiled in internal power struggles, shows the middle finger to learners in Polokwane and brazenly loots from state coffers, it is the poor, the overwhelming majority of this country that are sacrificed at the altar of self-serving politicians who have completely lost touch with those they are empowered to serve. To quote Tony Karon: “When people are killed over the distribution of wealth, a new national conversation cannot wait.”
To quote Tim O’Reilly once again, Government 2.0 would be collaborative, open and engaged. If we remember that “government is a mechanism for collective action, a platform from which we jointly manage problems that are too large for us individually and whose solution is in our common interest” we can begin to have a new national dialogue driven by citizens.
Given the number of service-delivery protests witnessed this year, the ANC is on a slippery downward spiral, and to the extent that it continues on this trajectory, is headed towards certain implosion. The current calls from Zuma detractors for “Anything but Zuma” is significant. That Zuma has lost favour with his party is not as significant as the fact that this loss of favour transcends reason to the point where the ANC do not care who leads them, as long as it is not Zuma. The desperation of a party at war with itself, mirrored by the desperation of a nation at war with itself.
History will judge us harshly if we take no action today, and condemn us wholesale if we vote the ANC with its current dearth of leadership back into government. South Africa is at a turning point and our collective futures will be defined by the actions we take or do not take today.
Liz Molomo is a recovering capitalist and project manager.
Madam, I hear your point but we are having our own issues but are doing well.In my international visits, many are still full of praise about South Africa. Africa as a whole is rising and South Africa is part of that. The ANC for me is still intact save for some issues here and there but I will not exchange it for any other Party.The basics are there!Policy development processes are irreplaceable and strong. Zuma they said is not educated but only if you are biased will you not realise the successes. Peopl now talk Marikana, but they do not want to respond on the R4000 those people are earning! Malema, is not our worry.
@Liz – I see you are encouraged by the reception you received. It shouldn’t surprise you really; it’s like Mia Love at the Republican convention.
@Peter, the people talking anyone but Obama are angry because he had laws passed to clamp down on the gambling on Wall Street. The ship in the US was leaking water and Obama had to take actions to stop it from sinking so, he made enemies. However, the US can’t go back to the excessive gambling that was going on in the US economy that led to this problem.
Wherein, in the case with Zuma, he was not directly elected by the people but, a group of kingmakers. The government is very corrupted and the services are not being delivered. There are two factions in the ANC, one faction want anybody but Zuma, the other faction want Zuma. In November the people in the US will decide whether they want Obama but, in SA the people don’t have that choice.
@Steve Martin, apologies for the typo error. I am sure you would have seen it but in saying that it surely makes the point of your sheer opportunism and alarmism by you and your ilk. Looking back at our history, guess you are ”perfection personified”. But noting your clear obsession, I guess I am not interested in reducing another debate to something else. Suggest you call upon your own mindless ”friends” to another tiresome mixit.
@Tofolux: If, as The Creator has suggested, the SAIRR is wrong, then which organisation has the correct info? You couldn’t know that you know unless someone told you or you read it. I only asked because I’d much rather be proven wrong than believe bad data.
Age has nothing to do with anything here. But if you think that’s a factor, just remember that Alexander the Great had built his empire before the age of 33.
Indeed the ANC can be redeemed from the hyenas and intellectual dwarfs, its not the organization that is corrupt but individuals who are pursuing their own interests. The time has come and it is now that those who still have conscience and commitment start creating alternative spaces, such as civil society initiatives that would speak truth to power not in an antagonistic manner, but with a sole purpose of giving feedback and saving umbutho from the precipice, Otherwise our children will spit on our graves.
@Lennon, it just goes to prove my point of the middle-class and their intellectual laziness, something predicted by revolutionaries so many decades ago.
@Tofolux: I have welcomed the chance for you to prove me wrong, but like revolutionaries past and present, you simply attack your opponent without backing your argument up with any kind of reference.
Marx did the same thing when he wrote the Communist Manifesto.
@ Tofolux. No seriously! What on earth are you talking about? What typo? What ‘opportunism’? What ‘ilk’? What ‘perfection personified’? What ‘obsession’ What debate? ‘Mindless friends’? (the only person I know who is mindless is you.)
To me it looks like your whole comment is a ‘typo error’: you shouldn’t have typed it n the first place:
Actually, do you ever read over anything you ‘write’ before submitting it? You really should.
I don’t think the moderator would like me to use the word ‘garbage’ in relation to what you purport to write. Let’s just say that you make the words ’garrulous’, ‘garbled’ and ‘goobledegook’ your own.
My gogo always told me that it is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you’re a fool – than open it and let the whole world know for sure.
This quote came from the Czech Republic. Someone over there has it figured out.
“The danger to South Africa is not Jacob Zuma but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of a Zuma presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Zuma, who is a mere symptom of what ails South Africa. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Jacob Zuma, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their President
@Lennon. I applaud you for attempting to engage with Tofolux. I have tried previously, but came up short. She has already made it abundantly clear that she does not have to back up her claims with data. From her previous post: “…omg so now I have to verify my information.”. This is from the same person who was giving us a lesson on debating. So, the rule of thumb is: if Tofolux says it, it must be true. She’s a lot like the Internet in that way.
I feel sad for the current state of affairs. One of the other posts on TL was talking about the ANC having yet to emerge as a political party. Yet, there was this same debate in the early to mid-90s that the ANC had already made that transition. If we are still having this debate, then it would appear that the ANC has not evolved. Perhaps that is the issue. In general, one is not selected on your ability to run a portfolio (or indeed the country), but more on our contribution to the struggle. The other thing that really surprises me is how someone like Cyril Ramaphosa can seemingly hang around in the background whilst the rot continues. Ditto Trevor Manuel. I don’t get it. If you love the movement/party so much, why are you stepping up to save it? Or at the very least, create the impression that you want to save it.
@Lennon, I see that someone else has taken up your fight eg David and noting that he alludes to your attempt, let me say I have been swayed, momentarily. Let me point you to your opening line ie ” we do not vote a party or person into power, we vote them into service”. I happen to be one of those practically pro-active citizens who require feedback on any issue I have. It keeps me informed and my finger on the pulse. I therefore suggest you ask your representative to service you. Also, I think someone else pointed to the contradication in the other info you needed, that should suffice eh? @David, as a youth, I am very optimistic in playing a part in shaping and building our country. I am aware of most of the challenges but am hugely inspired by all the hard work you never read about. HIV and Aids is being reduced to levels that we could only have dreamt of 10 yrs ago and now we might have a cure for malaria noting that this is the no 1 killer on our continent. Also, it is incorrect to claim that ANC is a mere political party. It isnt. You cannot compare them to any other mere political party on this continent. It is a liberation movement and that is the fundamental difference. @ Steve, I am not perfect and yes I do make mistakes (thank goodness).
@ Tofolux: I have already acknowledged the point made by The Creator, but that does excuse you from backing up your statements – now or in the future. You claim to have your finger on the pulse which means you must be getting info from somewhere. All I have asked for is your source, be it a government o/ NGO website; radio show or your local councillor. Is this too much to ask?
@Tofolux, you mention HIV and AIDS has been reduced to the level never dream of in SA. However, you failed to give credit to the bad US for setting up this program and paying for it in SA. The ANC is not the ones that’s paying for this program so, give credit to the country you are always bashing.
@Nagel, the electors didn’t voted Zuma to power like most democracies of the world but, the kingmakers made Zuma the president of SA. The whole system has to be reformed so the people will have a voice in choosing their president and not kingmakers.
@Lennon, this information is in the public domain and easily accessible. A point must be made that once again here it highlights how little social commentators understand that thing about the Information Bill and wasnt it you in particular, Lennon who had so much to say about it? Also, I think that I am suffering from a “generational fatigue” about this perception of some of us having to be a ”perpetual nanny” to a certain section of our citizenry. I suggest you do your own homework.
@Sterling, I understand dont worry, it must be hard, yip so hard for you to acknowledge successes by blacks in general and africans in particular.
@ Tofolux: There is a teapot orbiting the earth. This is in the public domain too.
@Lennon, you so funneee
@Tofolux: Thanks, but that wasn’t my intention.
To Lennon’s point:
In a recent interview, Jacob Zuma,in a moment of fragility, let it be known that he enjoys wearing his wives clothes. He found it made him feel “pretty”.
There. That’s in the public domain. And easily accessible. Only because I put it there, but that’s besides the point. By Tofolux’s logic, we should all believe it. I dare say I’m starting to….
@ Tofolux – “You cannot compare them to any other mere political party on this continent. It is a liberation movement and that is the fundamental difference.”
Isn’t that the issue? Liberation movements serve a purpose (and in our case, a very important one) – to liberate. Now that they have fought for the train set, they need to know how to operate it. And that is the difference between a liberation movement and a political party. And it is for that very reason that the ANC needs to evolve. Being a thorn in someone’s side is very different to being “the side”.
One last thing Tofolux: I see you’re dead set on not producing your sources. Since you have them to hand, it would be far simpler for you to provide them, saving everyone else time and giving us all easy access to read something that would be very interesting. Sad.
@Phillip, only fools would believe a quote from the Czech Republic where they themselves are so confused they cant even agree on their own history with Slovakia. I am also wondering if you are SA or maybe it could be that you are suffering from this settler condition, where you, unlike a patriotic citizen of this country has access to all this country’s resources and yet you do not view yourself as a SAn. But let me leave you with this. The oldest liberation movement on this planet, the ANC, fought for equality, human rights and democracy. This liberation movement has produced Nobel laureates, doctors, scientists, philantropists, visionaries, philosophers, freedom fighters, writers, intellectuals etc from poor backgrounds. Now, if you think that these past and present heroes are fools, then I ask how does one begin to have an objective discussion with you noting that these persons are also ordinary citizens of this country?
@David, I have never ever seen anyone been asked to show or prove their facts in debating sessions, lectures etc. I am making the point because when you engage on any issue, you must be informed and understand the issue. This basic requirement allows you to pose a counter challenge and these counter challenges can be challenge etc etc. The result of a discussion that is not only informed but it builds knowledge. What is used here is a very old and weak ploy. But if you want a serious discussion, lets talk about what you mean by a mere political party. In response to you, what about the key ojectives of my beloved liberation movement. Its main objective is the creation of a united, non-racist, non-sexist and democratic society. There is no way that the objective has been realised. Sure, you have products such as this writer which one may argue is a product of class rather than liberation. Can or do you understand the contradiction?
You’re right Tofolux. We should never confuse an issue with facts – especially facts backed up with evidence.
Tofolux. Well then all we’re left to do is discredit your arguments. Your opinions and statements of fact are two separate things. If you put forward something as fact, you should be able to substantiate it. What about those who are not familiar with the subject? Surely the point would be to educate by providing the necessary back-up in order for everyone’s participation. Do you understand? Probably not…. So if you dress your opinions up as fact and cannot produce an ounce of support, then sadly your “facts” are dismissed. Much like my claim about Zuma being a frock wearer.
@Lennon & David , there is something called denialism. But noting your belligerent demands, can I ask what is your counter-argument? It is one thing to ask for facts, but it is a another thing to pose the counter-challenge. If I look at Lennon’s responses, there is no superceding counter that ”discredit’s” my position(!). At least if there was, it could be challenged. Secondly, how is it that you are unable to seperate the issues under discussion?
If you cannot pose a counter- challenge, do the right thing and concede. Thats principle, thats morals and values. To play this ping-pong lying game just shows why the apartheid govt was forced to spend so much money on educating you with the best resources. Unfortunately, for all the stolen resources, they couldnt guarantee the outcome. (yoh)
@ Tofolux: I quoted info from the SAIRR. You’ve done nothing except try to confuse the issue and insult me.
Here are some interesting facts:
“Life expectancy has declined from 65 years to 53 years since the ANC came to power;
In 2007, SA became a net food importer for the first time in its history;
The elimination of agricultural subsidies by the government led to the loss of 600000 farm workers’ jobs and the eviction from the commercial farming sector of about 2,4-million people between 1997 and 2007;
The ANC stopped controlling the borders, leading to a flood of poor people into SA, which has led to conflicts between SA’s poor and foreign African migrants.”
Source: http://baldy.posterous.com/interesting-article-by-moeletsi-mbeki-thabo-m
Having read one of Mbeki’s books, I can tell you that when he speaks we should all listen.
The counter-argument, Tofolux, is that you are lying. I can only present a counter-argument, if indeed one exists, once I’ve read the rationale behind your ‘facts’. Before that happens, your views can only be discounted as fabrications to suit your position. Empty vessels make the loudest noise. I’m sure you’ve heard that expression, what with you being a Ancyl member and all (see, I can also make claims about you as you have about me).