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Source: TCN / Father Ludwe Jayiya
Date Added: 2023-02-20
Category: General News,  TCN News,  Issues - General,  Issues - Politics,  Issues - Social upliftment, 

The motivation behind the formation of the ruling party was centred around uniting the African people and to liberate them politically, socially and bring economic change. The deepest desire of the ruling party was, it said, to uplift the quality of life of all South Africans, especially the poor.

This was a noble idea. In 1955 the Freedom Charter became the guiding policy document towards creating a unified, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.

The Freedom Charter declared 10 important points. Let us zoom in on three: There shall be work and security; There shall be houses, security and comfort; There shall be peace and friendship.

Sixty-eight years after the adoption of the Freedom Charter, we still hear the current president of the ruling party alluding to challenges that were faced by the South African people over half a century ago. President Ramaphosa in his January 8 th statement mentioned the following challenges:

• Millions of young South Africans are not in employment, education or training
• Millions of South Africans continue to live in poverty
• The collapse of municipalities has had a devastating impact on citizens who must on a daily basis deal with sewerage spills, water shortages, uncollected garbage, countless potholes, unmaintained cemeteries, and inaccurate billing
• There is a breakdown of basic security as a result of rising levels of lawlessness, criminality and violence
• The ANC reaffirms its longstanding principle that corruption is an enemy of the people and is therefore a counter-revolutionary act that must be combated and defeated.

The above challenges suggest that the president is conceding that the ruling party is failing to deliver on the ideals of the Freedom Charter.

In the January 8 h statement of 1972, the then ANC president, Oliver Tambo, asked a very important question: “Why are we where we are – violently oppressed, brutally exploited and racially persecuted and insulted – which is worse than where we were this day 60 years ago”.

His response: “the answer cannot be quick or easy, but it must be found and found not in words, but in deeds, in action, in struggle”.

Our president says beautiful and encouraging words but no action.

His words aren’t translated to change and development.

When we look at the daily living conditions of our people, we see that things are getting worse.

Municipalities are disintegrating and we don’t receive basic services.

The failure of the municipalities has a direct impact on the lives of our people. If something is not done quickly, soon South Africa will be a failed state. When South Africa becomes a failed state then we will experience suffering like we never seen before.

It is not long ago that South Africa was the light of the world, and everyone was admiring us for the way we managed our transition.

How can we save our country from being a failed state?

Let us learn from Singapore that was once like us. How did they manage to do that?

• Security. Creating internal stability was important to kickstart development.
• Accountability: For the leadership to earn credibility and support of the people, they had to deal with corruption decisively without covering up for each other.
• Human capacity. Singapore had to develop the skills of its people so that they could compete within their region and internationally.
• Housing: this initiative provided decent housing and provided job opportunities and it developed a world class construction industry.
• Citizenship: Singapore looked at policies that focused on language (culture), social and communal behaviour (social), meritocracy (economic) to bind individuals to the state over and above other ethnic groups and alliances.
• Nation-building: ethnicity was the main challenge, but it was defeated through constant commitment to multiracialism. Education played a central role in this endeavour.
• Singapore is seen as a pioneer of good governance. The transformation of this country didn’t come only through beautiful words but through decisive action.
• The ruling party is not perceived to be dealing decisively with corruption. What should be done?
• We have to take care of our security. If our security cluster cannot protect the parliament and the president’s property, how can they protect us? The government should subsidise home security services. As it stands, this service can only be afforded by the rich. We can never dream of development if crime is still out of hand.
• Action must be taken to deal with corruption. Corruption has become a cancer in our society. The ruling party is perceived to be protecting its members from facing corruption charges.
• The state should promote the culture of accountability. Some government departments are falling apart because of lack of accountability.
• Filling of government posts should take priority. We have a high rate of unemployment but there are posts that are vacant for years.
• South Africa should reconsider pay for politicians. Politicians from local government to national should be remunerated based on their performance. We cannot have a situation where politicians are enjoying big salaries while things are falling apart under their watch.

Let us take notice of the words of Chris Hani, when he said, “what I fear is that liberators emerge as elitists who drive around in Mercedes Benz’s and use the resources of this country to live in palaces and to gather riches”.

Hani’s words proved to be prophetic.

The president should make a choice between saving the people of South Africa or saving the ANC.

While the president is busy trying to save the ANC the country is disintegrating.

What action are we taking as concerned people of South Africa?

Let us not be entertained by words but by action that brings about change and development of our communities and people.

Christians are in the majority. We hold power in our hands.

Father Ludwe Jayiya
Priest in charge Mater Dei Catholic Parish

Source: TCN / Father Ludwe Jayiya
Date Added: 2023-02-20
Category: General News,  TCN News,  Issues - General,  Issues - Politics,  Issues - Social upliftment, 

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