ANC Agenda, Defend Zuma

If there is one magical fact only a few of us can deny, is that at some point in our lives, we were/still are supporters of the ANC, either staunch and passionate or simply just for the ANC. We revered, respected and honoured those who led it, and in the same spirit held with great regard what the ANC was. Fortunately, much of what it was has not died out yet, but from a short distance it isn't very clear either, it looks faded. What this means is that the ANC no longer reflects what it used to be, and therefore cannot be reflective of what its objectives were before assuming power in 1994. 

It used to be an organisation of character, it attracted individuals with great leadership qualities, and was about empowering others before anything else. Much of this rare breed has not yet died out either, however, what is alarming is that it could be what remains of what was once a great movement. The generation that made the ANC what it was then, is what remains and possibly what still holds the centre. More so, the credibility and integrity of the organisation appears to be on a downward spiral. From inception, the ANC was associated with chiefs, intellectuals, educationalists and the like. And this crop of leaders inspired confidence and hope in the lives of thousands of South Africans across all racial lines. Today the ANC, although still popular amongst the majority of South Africans, is somewhat a shadow of its original self. 

The primary reason for this is one, the organisation has adopted a new agenda; Defend Zuma, whatever the cost! This character has not only compromised the integrity of the organisation, but has tainted its image so much that people who were once very much a part of its lively soul find themselves out in the wilderness and throwing their weight behind opposition organisations if not always criticising it. Essentially, the ANC has developed a shabby outlook, its priorities are gradually changing shape, and the man who is supposed to be leading it is forever involved in scandals, forcing the very organisation he is leading to come out barking in his defence all the time.

The rape and corruption charges brought against him prior to his ascendency to the position of State President (though not found guilty), the alleged use of taxpayer's money to build a multi-million rand compound in Nkandla and the Guptagate scandal, just to mention a few. Most of us would like to play blind to this unpleasant fact, but all of these and many others have contributed in one way or another to the growing uncertainty around whether the ANC is still the organisation to lead us into the battle for economic freedom, the land question, unemployment and inequality. This battle is no longer between the general population of this country and the ANC, but between South Africans and the man at the top of the ANC's agenda. He is becoming unpopular with every day that comes to pass, and like in 2009, it is inevitable that the ANC will experience a decline in votes. 

This is not to discredit the ANC, or to suggest that it has failed to deliver on its promises to South Africans. But to remind those responsible for its survival not to play with what is most valuable to it; IT'S INTEGRITY. The masses may appreciate the development already in place, but where development seizes to exist, the face of the provider must serve as a symbol of hope to those living in despair. It is a well-known phenomenon in the townships, particularly among young attractive females, that regardless of how smart and beautiful you may be, if you become too popular, notorious and happen to sleep with almost every man who comes your way simply because he can afford to buy you drinks at the shebeens, your value depreciates drastically. 

My advice to the ANC: Don't be that  girl! Yours should be to restore and preserve the dignity  and credibility of the organisation and not defend those who continuously compromise it. ANC needs saving, and that is what should be at the top of the agenda.

South African Youth: Our desires

In my years as a young person. I have come to know one factor with which to characterise South African youth; a desire to touch.

This desire comes in different forms, and is often pursued in such a way that it aims to serve and achieve a particular purpose. Youth by character has aspirations, and these may be from becoming lawyers to doctors or from flashy millionaires to mafias. However immoral some of these aspirations may appear to be, the fact of the matter is that they are desires young people wish to fulfil, and with which to touch their society.
 
This observation represents a reality, and one which we probably would all love to enjoy; exercising free will without limitation. It represents a picture of what kind of young individuals we are likely to have in our communities, and not of communities we could have, through collective thought, that is. How then do we channel these desires and the energy that goes into their manifestation towards a path of common good? 

Firstly, the youth of South Africa needs a vision, one which is founded primarily on the desire to effect positive change before anything else.  Secondly, a desire to acknowledge the importance of education, and respond with urgency to the desperate need to read. And lastly, to aspire to inspire, that is, have ambitions and dreams that are not only for the benefit of the individual and feeding of egos, but inspiring confidence in others and using our skills to empower and help build our society.

Fundamentally, we must adopt the spirit of the youth of the 1940s, when they challenged the then leadership of the ANC for failing to actively engage and resist against the might of Apartheid head-on. In the same spirit, we need to think like the youth of '76, and if necessary, slightly more. Their struggle then, and ours now may vary on the basis space and time, but the objective remains the same; a quality education for all and absolute freedom from bondage.

Our desires should be built on a concrete foundation, one with the sole purpose of carrying above it a determination and willingness to touch the other positively. We must be a youth that not only desires the best for itself, but the best for a greater South Africa.

The devil in our wicked selves

The past few weeks have been horrific and profound in the most intense and dreadful way imaginable, and has left our nation frustrated, angry and pointing fingers recklessly at everyone who was present at the brutal shooting that saw 34 people lost their lives at Lonmin mine in Marikana.

The widely publicised pictures of the gruesome incident are believed to mirror the ruthless attacks on blacks by the then South African Police during the apartheid era. More so, one cannot help but think that the belief is not very far-fetched and that perhaps, the devil in our wicked selves still reigns.

Since the incident, people have come from different opposing positions, some in defence of the aggrieved miners and others in defence of the police. However, few have acknowledged, from a behavioural point of view, that the situation was wrong in many ways from the first week of the strike.

It is important to note that democracy is, because we are, and that the idea is as much as meaningless if we fail to act in a manner that is in accordance with its principles. In recognition of the fact that the miners carry “victim” status, it should not conceal the reality that both the unions and their members also have a responsibility to account for their misguided actions.

Firstly, for going out on an illegal strike that was not properly monitored and given clear directions on proper conduct. Secondly, for carrying dangerous weapons into open field, and inciting physical violence, that unfortunately, resulted in the killing of 10 people in the first week of the strike. And lastly, having failed to uphold a basic value of the moral society; empathy.

The brutal and disturbing shooting by the police at the vulnerable miners was like adding nothing but large amounts of petrol to a veld fire that was already volatile. Why then, would men gather in the name of wage increase and better working conditions, but instead turn against one another to a point of taking others’ lives? Why would a group of policemen use live-ammunition against a mob, yet claim the primary objective was to disperse the crowd? This is simply a clear indication of our failure to connect with the god-fearing human in ourselves.

If we are to grow as people and as a society that recognizes and aspires to be one that upholds morals and values. We are going to have to dig deep into ourselves as individuals and as parts of the greater community without attempting to set a boundary between the two and the roles they are expected to play.
The best way to defeat the devil in our wicked selves is by living the democracy we want to see prevail around us

Unlimited 67

Unlimited 67 minutes of service is probably not the brightest of ideas, and perhaps it’s a little old-fashioned of me to write about a subject that is somewhat out of date. But where better to hide if not behind the tagline “Make every day a Mandela Day”.

Don’t get me wrong. This is not an attempt to discredit anybody who has made an effort to visit an orphanage, paint the walls of a dilapidated school, bring toys for the less fortunate or render cleaning services to an old-age home. But just how much of a difference does this service make?
There are hundreds of reasons Nelson Mandela is recognised all over the world, because he has made massive and disproportionate contributions to the wellbeing of all humanity. Even so, there is one that stands out, and certainly the primary reason South Africans have dedicated the month of July to making their own little contributions to society in honour of this remarkable man.
The astonishing fact is that he was imprisoned for 27 years, and upon his release came back the same man he was prior to his incarceration, a master advocate for a non-sexist, nonracial and democratic South Africa.

Justifiably, Madiba is possessed of a rare personality trait: an infinite capacity to serve. Nonetheless, each of us has the potential to make far greater contributions to society. It’s how much we embrace our infinite capabilities that determines our capacity to effect change. As Mahatma Gandhi clearly stated: “A man is but the product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes.”

In a country where so many of us live in despair, why not do a 67 that matters and save the future of 67 students facing deregistration at varsity, put up 67 tanks in towns where people can donate old clothes to the have-nots, donate 67 mobile libraries to 67 communities every year, or simply do a 67 not limited to minutes.

Nelson Mandela paved the way. Let us in the same spirit give fellow South Africans an unlimited 67 of service.