The trouble with leaders who turn a deaf ear when warned
FORMER president Kgalema Motlanthe’s criticism drew large response. It was quite interesting to read and hear the different reactions to what he had said about the tripartite alliance being dead and about the SACP and Cosatu. I wonder why he only said such things now that he is out of the ANC power structures?
Is it because he never had or was never given a chance to raise these things when he was deputy president of the ANC? Is it because he sees a sinking ship so he wants to salvage it? Or is he an opportunist who is wanting to form his own political party?
Whatever the reason, he is the one with a good answer.
The way he has been attacked and criticised by his former compatriots suggests an interesting battleground.
As is the case when one criticises a political home where one was once a strong guru, one is labelled or described as “lost” and/or lacking in political direction.
But the detractors forget to scan the content of what the critic says in an effort to correct a possible wrong.
Motlanthe is not alone in saying what he has. To mention just one, if one reads Raymond Suttner’s columns [presently], one may conclude he was never an ANC activist.
As for the SACP, when Blade Nzimande went to parliament, Cosatu boss Zwelinzima Vavi made a special appeal to him to rather be based in the SACP offices full-time.
Vavi went further to say that as workers, we would try to give him a ministerial salary if he stayed at the SACP office.
But Vavi was seen as someone who was jealous of Nzimande going to parliament (getting onto the gravy train).
The question now is whether the SACP is stronger or weaker than before? Evaluate the matter yourself.
The problem is that if one raises a serious issue, criticism will come from all corners rather than through persuading that person to appraise the issue/s within organisational channels. And that gives me a picture of at person who is tired of having his/her views sidelined.
The problem with politicians is they don’t want to be told about a problem, and so then it becomes a crisis. A good typical example is Nzimande and the university fees funding crisis. He responded by saying what crisis?
Please National Democratic Revolution structures, let us listen, be observant and deal with issues before they make our country unstable, thus sacrificing the democratic gains attained through the blood of our martyrs. — Ray Somlota, New Look Location, Ngqamakhwe
Maybe citizens need to think very carefully when voting next year. — Name supplied, East London new coach and appoint an assistant backline coach who has a say on selection. Coaches who come to mind are, John Plumtree with Brendon Venter or Allister Coetzee.
And pick the team with the 50% quota now! Keep changing until the Boks have the right team and mix. Then the Boks will have huge chance of winning the 2019 World Cup. — Mike Godfrey, East London the residents’ expectations are too high.”
The following is in fact, what I said: “BCM is the smallest and youngest metro of the seven metros surveyed. However, this did not stop residents’ expectations from being high.”
Perceptions that I asserted that BCM was small and that residents’ expectations were too high are regretted, but are not correct.
As an aside the Border-Kei Chamber of Business has invested hundreds of hours consulting the leadership of the metro and we are well aware of the challenges.
We have committed our association to both the 15-year development strategy and the integrated development plan and strongly believe we have a bright future for a long as we all carry our weight, including the private sector. — Les Holbrook, executive director BKCB