The ANC recently missed two golden opportunities in making significant progress on our road to a better South Africa.
The first: When choosing their new leadership at their elective conference. The delegates were so pre-occupied with their own little agenda's of factional preference and party unity, that they were blinded to what qualities they are building into their Party. Populism was the colour of the day. They completely neglected to apply any quality parameters to their candidates. If, for example, there was a stipulation that no candidate should in any way be involved in any nefarious activity or society - or even be suspected to be involved in such - then a person like Ace Magashule would surely not have been elected to the position of their secretary general.
As it happened, Magashule's appointment was loudly applauded, which was a clear indicator of the ANC's moral flavour. Corruption was re-infused and cemented within the organisation from the get go.
The second: When taking steps in getting rid of their previous president, who also occupies the position of our National President. In the first instance, the ANC's new leader, Cyril Ramaphosa, wiggled himself a little deeper in to the quicksand of arrogance, nepotism and corruption when he undertook to "negotiate" acceptable terms with Mr. Zuma and his band of looters.
Instead of leaving the decision to the National Assembly of Parliament to decide on the way forward, the ANC under Ramaphosa demonstrated typical ANC arrogance in going it alone - never mind what other South Africans think - and handled evil with kid gloves. Next, the arrogant insult to all South Africans, delivered by the mouthpiece of corruption himself (Ace Magashule): "Zuma did nothing wrong".
Now, if that is not nailing the colours to the post, then nothing else is. Green, yellow and black does not see anything wrong with enriching themselves at the cost of the Nation. Green, yellow and black does not see anything wrong with Arrogance, Nepotism and Corruption.
These are the true colours of the ANC and these are the colours under which Cyril Ramaphosa chose to operate. Now, there is only one way for Ramaphosa to redeem himself and to attach any measure of credibility to utterances of the ANC. And that is to take a bold step forward - like De Klerk did - and change direction. Away from populism. Away from corruption. Practical steps he should take is to recover all monies and assets in ANC member's hands both here and abroad. All government employees should be barred from having any private businesses. Those who stole from the people should be prosecuted. Nepotism should be seen in as serious a light as racism. Corruption should be dealt with harshly.
These are but a few obvious practical steps. Let's see. Does Ramaphosa also value ANC unity above the interests of South Africa? Can he find a solvent to remove the colours with which he is already painted? Or will he wear those colours with pride - and thereby re-affirm that there is nothing wrong with Arrogance, Nepotism and Corruption?
