Militants sorted at the ballot box

THE actions of Julius Malema’s EFF troops that we have witnessed lately remind us of the bad old days when Eugene Terreblanche’s AWB khaki shirts were hogging the headlines. The same old prejudiced notions; bigoted people intolerant of those who differ from them in colour, religion and political beliefs.

The EFF in their latest destructive crusade judged beforehand, the educational philosophy and language preference at the Hoerskool Overvaal. Distorting and exaggerating facts their rowdy, intimidating thugs burnt tyres and caused chaos with the sole purpose of creating ethnic tension.

Malema, a former ANC Youth League senior cadet, and a man who was willing to die for Jacob Zuma, became well-versed in operational tactics to divert problems which are national in scope, to minority racial or ethnics disputes. Innocent citizens then suffer the terror tactics used by these hate groups.

The unprofessional conduct of the ANC Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi in the Hoerskool Overvaal issue was on the same level as that of the EFF chanting hate brigade. Disappointing conduct for an ANC member of a party in the early stages of a “back to basics” approach with promises of a corruption-free society under Cyril Ramaphosa.

Law-abiding citizens want to live and let live and are tired of violence, corruption and false promises. They will deal with these militants at the ballot box.

Unlike Lesufi and Malema and his cohorts, most South Africans see the bigger picture and have experienced the high standards of international statesmanship that Mandela set. The positive signs are there. The ANC has a new leader who can follow in his footsteps.

Further, we endorse every word of Albert Luthuli when in 1958 he said: “I believe that here in South Africa with all our diversities of colour and race, we will show the world a new pattern of democracy on the basis not of colour but of human values.” JOHANN VOSLOO Knysna