Not The Time To Remove The ANC Government In South Africa
This article is motivated by Professor Malegapuru Makgoba's article entitled "A democracy at the crossroads" which appeared on page 30 of City Press of 19 January 2014. Professor Makgoba argued - and I absolutely agree - that since 1994 there has been significant qualitative and quantitative changes in most rural and urban areas in South Africa. These changes include - although not limited to - tarred roads, electricity, clean running water, health facilities such as clinics, schools and the extension of government grants which are received on time.
I am pleased that at least some academics such as Prof. Makgoba have guts to admit that the ANC and its government has done a lot to change the lives of the people for the better and it has made South Africa a better country to live in than it has ever been, notwithstanding some challenges which most of which are structural.
This article seeks to demystify two main points raised by the opposition parties against the ANC. Firstly, the opposition argues that the African National Congress (ANC) government has allowed the issue of corruption to reach unprecedented levels. Secondly, that the ANC government has failed to improve the lives of the South African people.
Since 1994 the ANC government has been intensifying the fight against corruption both in the public and private sectors from initiating methods aimed at preventing public servants from doing business to holding public officials individually liable for losses arising from corruption. Additionally, it has also taken an unprecedented decision that any ANC member or ANC public representative found guilty before a court of law especially on charges of corruption to step down from any leadership positions in the ANC, government and society at large.
Though some of the decisions are yet to be given practical meaning but it signals a serious commitment to fighting corruption. Moreover, the ANC government has put in place systems and programs which have exposed corrupt activities. However, the ANC admits that all of these are not enough hence it calls on both the private and the public sectors to desist from participating in corrupt activities such as bribing public servants etc.
The claim that the ANC has failed to improve the lives of South Africans is fallacious to say the least. For instance, the ANC Government has done a lot to transform Bantu education to an inclusive education system resulting in the elevation of the senior certificate rate to above 70%. Arising from this and other government interventions, the number of graduates has doubled since the ANC government took over.
Furthermore, it is also an undisputable fact that today more than 15 million people are able to go to bed with something on their stomachs because of the comprehensive anti-poverty programs aimed at intensifying social security networks thus contributing significantly towards addressing three scientific discoveries made by Karl Marx as observed by his friend (Frederick Engels) which is the issue of food, shelter in the light of the fact that it has built more than 3.1 million houses.
Another fact which cannot be disputed as well is that the ANC Government remains committed to fighting against joblessness through different initiatives which includes - although not limited to - labour intensive public works programs of whose incentives can be used by beneficiaries to address the issue of clothing beyond food and shelter, amongst other things. It is misleading and myopic for the opposition parties to argue that the ANC government has never done anything to improve the lives of South Africans.
I contend that no opposition would have managed to score any victories recorded by the ANC in its 102 years of existence. Let me conclude by agreeing with four key reasons as to why South African opposition parties will never defeat the ANC thus making the ANC government to be more relevant than ever before.
Firstly, it is true that some of these opposition parties are direct offshoots or imitations of the 'broad ANC church' in some form or the other. Secondly, each of these parties is led by a single domineering 'cult-like or disgruntled figure' without whom there is no party. Thirdly, the leader is the party and the party leader is not ready to be led by any other member within the party or other opposition party leaders (the recent 5 days marriage of DA and Agang being a relevant recent example. Finally, some of the leaders have such chequered political history and record.
All of these points mean one thing to the voter - this is neither the time to contemplate removing the ANC government nor to give it less support as Prof Makgoba correctly puts it. As a result, the ANC shall indeed rule South Africa into the unforeseeable future.
Thembinkosi Zondi is the KwaZulu-Natal Ward 3 ANC Branch Secretary
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| ANC militants defend their headquarters against DA provocations. |
I am pleased that at least some academics such as Prof. Makgoba have guts to admit that the ANC and its government has done a lot to change the lives of the people for the better and it has made South Africa a better country to live in than it has ever been, notwithstanding some challenges which most of which are structural.
This article seeks to demystify two main points raised by the opposition parties against the ANC. Firstly, the opposition argues that the African National Congress (ANC) government has allowed the issue of corruption to reach unprecedented levels. Secondly, that the ANC government has failed to improve the lives of the South African people.
Since 1994 the ANC government has been intensifying the fight against corruption both in the public and private sectors from initiating methods aimed at preventing public servants from doing business to holding public officials individually liable for losses arising from corruption. Additionally, it has also taken an unprecedented decision that any ANC member or ANC public representative found guilty before a court of law especially on charges of corruption to step down from any leadership positions in the ANC, government and society at large.
Though some of the decisions are yet to be given practical meaning but it signals a serious commitment to fighting corruption. Moreover, the ANC government has put in place systems and programs which have exposed corrupt activities. However, the ANC admits that all of these are not enough hence it calls on both the private and the public sectors to desist from participating in corrupt activities such as bribing public servants etc.
The claim that the ANC has failed to improve the lives of South Africans is fallacious to say the least. For instance, the ANC Government has done a lot to transform Bantu education to an inclusive education system resulting in the elevation of the senior certificate rate to above 70%. Arising from this and other government interventions, the number of graduates has doubled since the ANC government took over.
Furthermore, it is also an undisputable fact that today more than 15 million people are able to go to bed with something on their stomachs because of the comprehensive anti-poverty programs aimed at intensifying social security networks thus contributing significantly towards addressing three scientific discoveries made by Karl Marx as observed by his friend (Frederick Engels) which is the issue of food, shelter in the light of the fact that it has built more than 3.1 million houses.
Another fact which cannot be disputed as well is that the ANC Government remains committed to fighting against joblessness through different initiatives which includes - although not limited to - labour intensive public works programs of whose incentives can be used by beneficiaries to address the issue of clothing beyond food and shelter, amongst other things. It is misleading and myopic for the opposition parties to argue that the ANC government has never done anything to improve the lives of South Africans.
I contend that no opposition would have managed to score any victories recorded by the ANC in its 102 years of existence. Let me conclude by agreeing with four key reasons as to why South African opposition parties will never defeat the ANC thus making the ANC government to be more relevant than ever before.
Firstly, it is true that some of these opposition parties are direct offshoots or imitations of the 'broad ANC church' in some form or the other. Secondly, each of these parties is led by a single domineering 'cult-like or disgruntled figure' without whom there is no party. Thirdly, the leader is the party and the party leader is not ready to be led by any other member within the party or other opposition party leaders (the recent 5 days marriage of DA and Agang being a relevant recent example. Finally, some of the leaders have such chequered political history and record.
All of these points mean one thing to the voter - this is neither the time to contemplate removing the ANC government nor to give it less support as Prof Makgoba correctly puts it. As a result, the ANC shall indeed rule South Africa into the unforeseeable future.
Thembinkosi Zondi is the KwaZulu-Natal Ward 3 ANC Branch Secretary
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