How to restore Mandela-era pride

ZIPHO Sikhakhane’s column, “Now is the time to stand up for SA” (June 11), seems a little late, asking for all good men to come to the aid of the country.

There is evidence, since President Jacob Zuma’s rise to power, of the malfeasance being carried out by his administration. Now we learn of the depth of depravity carried out by the Gupta family, and the ruling party refuses to act in the interests of SA Inc.

Even more disturbing is that the prosecuting authority seems to have its hands tied.

Sikhakhane’s column is hardly a clarion call for action and provides no solution, which is often the problem of academics.

What is obvious to even unsophisticated minds is the failure of the ANC to understand the modern world, to deploy the best brains to cabinet, to stamp out corruption and to rid the country of Zuma.

Only then will we have a chance of salvaging what little is left, and rebuilding it once again as the “boiler room” of the continent and reinstating the pride and dignity of the Mandela era.

With the latest downgrade by Moody’s, our situation is parlous, and the character of the ruling party is being tested. — Ted O’Connor, Johannesburg