Policies or leaders’ qualities

THE current political debate is dominated by our focus on personalities and political candidates. But ours is not an American style presidential race with the state president elected directly by the people. Whoever wins the party slate, has to implement the policies of the party and cannot chart an independent course.

Whether we inherit Cyril Ramaphosa or Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, he or she has to bow to the ANC national executive committee.

Lacking in the debate is discussion on policy. Promises have been made about being tough on corporate and government corruption, tough on the multitude of crimes we experience, but how will these goals be achieved? Will it be through enforcing existing laws, improved policing, social programmes, increased employment opportunities or are there gaps we need to close in our constitutional fabric that impact crime-fighting? Ramaphosa needs to explain his battle plan for reversing the crime that grips society. It has to be a new, well-crafted plan, not a repeat of Police Minister Fikile Mbalula’s bombastic plans which fizzle out before they hit the ground.

Then there is the state of our Treasury and the issue of where all the money has gone. Our candidates need to educate us on how they plan to return money siphoned out of the country and hidden in tax havens around the world.

The problem is domestic as well. Each time our local governments and state-owned enterprises mess up on finances we put them back on Treasury breast milk. What are the plans to keep our municipalities and government owned enterprises solvent and away from Treasury dependency? They too, need to pay back the national Treasury to stabilise the economy. What does Ramaphosa plan to do about all of this if he gets the job of president of the republic is the policy question?

Politicians are good at pointing out problems, assigning blame and making promises to fix them. What we need however, are not sound bites, but concrete plans based on a comprehensive assessment of our problems. Ramaphosa, if he is the choice of the people, needs to stand where all can see him, address policy issues, project himself as a candidate for all the people not just the ANC, publicly reject fractions and not be afraid to reach across the aisle to solve our problems. He needs also to remember that as JZ train pulls out of the station, we need a president who can unify us all and project a stable South Africa to the world. — Wongaletu Vanda, via e-mail

AS the Eastern Cape ANC general council gave direction in the lead-up to the 54th national elective conference, I too wish to stress the need for leaders able to heed the lessons of our forebears, who can fast-track socio-economic opportunities, address inequalities and unify – not only the ANC, but all South Africa’s people.

In the Eastern Cape we have such a leader, a unifier who is connected to the people, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane. He is humble and performs his political mandate. At national level we need a leader of the same ilk. Cyril Ramaphosa is the only national leader ready for ANC presidency.

The gurus concur on the qualities of leaders: confidence, vision, effective communication, a positive attitude, ability to inspire, courage, decision-making, empathy, emotional intelligence, humour, honesty, trustworthiness and integrity.

In Learning to Lead W Bennis and J Goldsmith say: “Trust is the essential quality that creates a following. It is the secret of leaders who are able to inspire movements that create great social change and successful organisations that achieve their vision”. They also list the “Four Cs”. A leader must be: congruent, consistent, caring and competent.

When OR Tambo was elected ANC deputy president in 1958, president Nkosi Albert Luthuli stated: “The quality of our deputy president Oliver Tambo’s speech makes me very happy – even if I and others in leadership of the ANC were to die, young men like Oliver Tambo are now ready to take responsibility for the ANC and ensure its unity”.

As we march towards this 54th elective conference, we must remember the necessary qualities of a leader. We need a leader with those “Four C’s” – and that has to be Ramaphosa. And we must reject those who give the middle finger to our people by being involved in corrupt activities and are hellbent on defending the indefensible – which is state capture and looting. — Viwe Sidali, Mzwanele Fazzie branch, former ANCYL REC Buffalo City Metro region member

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