Indians need better representatives

SOUTH Africa is a country in flames: corruption, rot, mismanagement, inefficient and ineffective MPs and councillors, you name all the evil, filth and dirt, South Africa has it all.

Let me state an obvious and well-known fact: the Indian community must be the envy of many: selfbuilt, enterprising, brilliant, survivors, entrepreneurs, innovative intellectuals, resourceful academics, hard working professionals.

Over the years many incidents crafted and engineered by the rulers of that particular time tried to relegate Indians by demeaning them. Indians rose each time like the Phoenix. We are survivors.

But many issues affecting Indians are being raised by people who are not in statutory positions. Where are the Indian parliamentarians? They are conspicuous by their silence/absence.

Decisions are made in Parliament and councils. Why are incapable Indians occupying such positions? The fault is not theirs, the fault lies with some of our political parties.

I am disappointed with many political parties for having chosen some “Indian” representatives, particularly in Parliament, who have no track record of service to the community.

I know of a party that has put an individual into Parliament because he and his friends promised to “give money” to that party. Yet, this particular person didn’t speak one word in the legislature for three years. Unfortunately, these people have become the face of the Indian community.

Lesson: isn’t it familiar that a pattern set by the “current rulers” is playing out now: pay for your medical seat even if you don’t meet the requirements like what our political party leaders are doing to raise funds. Those who want to become doctors are adopting the standards set by these political parties: pay to become doctors and you will become one, although you don’t qualify.

Pressure should be exerted on political parties to get rid of those unfit to hold these positions. Let’s get all Indians who are holding top positions to appear on TV and let them answer questions.

I would like to suggest that those not befitting the status as parliamentarians be replaced by people like a professor who writes brilliant pieces in the Post newspaper, the current and past chairmen of Samren, some regular letter writers who make excellent points which affect the Indian community, members of ratepayers associations and police forums and other community activists. It is sad that a great Indian leader and visionary like Pravin Gordhan has been ostracised. May God bring him back.

I have mentioned the Indian community but I am in no way asking for any special treatment. We are South Africans of Indian descent and we are fully deserving of a place in the sun. However, I am questioning the calibre of those who are in Parliament/ legislature in particular.

KAMAL PANDAY Reservoir Hills