Cyril, a great president does it for SA, not the ANC
COUNTING back to 1994, we find that some good as well as some regrettable things have been achieved. One such regrettable incident was the apparently denialist attitude of Thabo Mbeki with respect to HIV/Aids.
It is a heart-breaking possibility that many people need not have died because of poor vision and empathy from a leader. In the same way, each of the previous presidents had flaws.
Nelson Mandela is unquestionably the icon in the struggle against racism. His passion exhorts us never to repeat the mistakes of the past. But his arrest was not related to an act of freedom, but one of terrorism.
It is his lasting legacy that he diverted from an armed struggle to a negotiated settlement.
Sadly, he did not apply his mind to the realities of his brilliant utopian ideals. His ethic of access was distorted into an ethic of entitlement and an unsustainable policy of freebies. He never told us how to fund the dream.
Then there were caretaker presidents while the boss was elsewhere, but I shall not touch on their tenure, as they played only custodial roles.
Which brings us to Jacob Zuma. Who among us can claim to understand or explain how such an unmitigated scoundrel could rule a country so badly and for so long?
Who of us can honestly say that, in our catalogue of malfeasance against the man, one could not retain a sneaking admiration for his sheer gall, his reptilian fascination and his almost convincing claim that he was a victim?
Who but Zuma could, in falling on his sword, remind the ANC of his loyalty to them, and their debt to him, while at the same time requesting from them an explanation of what it was that he had done wrong?
This is hugely operatic. In his dying moments he iterates the very mantra that was part of his downfall: pay the money. You owe me.
While the EFF chanted, to no avail thus far, for Zuma himself to do some paying back.
Enter Cyril Ramaphosa. He has been waiting in the wings as Madiba’s successor for 20 years. To do what?
Restart where our great father left off by contriving the funds for the great Madiba Jive? Or reversing the legacy of Zuma that painted South Africa into junk economic status?
There are no immediately visible water resources to clean out the accumulated ordure of that particular stable.
My advice to Cyril is: think South Africa, then ANC. Think of talents unused and overlooked before you reward party loyalty.
South Africa is vibrant with ability, vision and enthusiasm of all colours. Re-establish faith in good governance, then you can rule for as long as you wish. But do it for 100% of the population, not only faithful party adherents.