ANC prefers rabbit-hole awards to real excellence
HOW the mighty have fallen. In October 2014 national police commissioner Riah Phiyega caused something of a stir when she proudly displayed four medals awarded to her by former police minister Nathi Mthethwa.
Among them, she had been gifted the South African Police Service (SAPS) Gold Medal for Outstanding Service, along with its World Cup 2010 Support Award.
Of the four, the ostentatiousness of the understandably gold medal generated public outrage, but the World Cup award was no less morally questionable.
In the Government Gazette that formally established the medal, the notice from President Jacob Zuma opens with this salutation: “To all to whom the presents shall come, Greetings!” Certainly the right spirit, albeit semiliterate.
The gazette set out two criteria for its conferment: the recipient should either be someone who displayed “an irreproachable character and exemplary conduct” or distinguished themselves “through outstanding services rendered to the event, Soccer World Cup 2010”.
As Phiyega was not in the public service during the soccer tournament, one must assume she was awarded the medal for her character and conduct. Last week, the same president suspended her from her position pending the outcome of an investigation into her character and conduct.
At a July 2012 news conference, where Phiyega was introduced to SA as its new police commissioner, she said: “I’ve never been a police (sic) but I want to say that you don’t need to be a drunkard to own a bottle store.” Perhaps you do?
How is it that a public servant so mired in controversy, at the height of said controversy, pocketed a series of medals for ostensibly being above and beyond reproach?
Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland may provide an answer. At one point Alice observes a “caucus-race”. All and sundry run frantically round a track with no end in sight, until, eventually, the Dodo remarks: “The race is over!”
But who had won? It was something he had never considered. “At last the Dodo said, ‘EVERYBODY has won, and all must have prizes’.”
As the South African cauldron bubbles over — a heady mix of crisis and catastrophe — listen carefully and you can hear poetry being read out in the background. This is not the worst of times; it is the best of times. And all those responsible are to be rewarded.
Zuma is no stranger to gratuitous titles. His accolades include honorary doctorates in philosophy, law, administration, humane letters and leadership, and a Platinum Class 2 medal from the defence force.
He has been made an honorary professor and this year was declared no less than a saint by the Greek Orthodox Church. He has also been awarded the Eagle of Zambia and the Order of Bath by Queen Elizabeth II.
Like Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe before him, Zuma won the King Hintsa Bravery Award. No doubt it stands next to his King Makhado Bravery Award.
He is, by all accounts, a philosopher king.
Like the Dodo suggested, in the alternate universe that is SA, everyone is a winner.
Last week, it was reported that Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said of his department’s good financial management: “This shows we have vision and brainpower and capacity to govern in our own department.”
According to reports, he made the remark “after being awarded a medal for his department’s clean 2014-15 audit outcome by the auditor-general’s office”.
Is it excellence or mediocrity on display when doing no more than your job is rewarded with trinkets and ceremony?