Makhosi is right: MPs can’t run SA

Makhosi Khoza does not shy away from the limelight and, in the past two years, she has been the focus of intense media and public attention for her outspoken stance on government corruption and inefficiency. That she began her fight from within the ranks of the ANC, as an MP, made her stand out even at a time when most ANC members were either involved in state capture around former president Jacob Zuma or they turned a blind eye to it.

She, like many others before – with the possible exception of Julius Malema and the EFF – found that starting an alternative political party is very difficult.

Now Khoza has joined the growing and vocal civil society movement, which has played such a major role in fighting the abuses within society. She announced last week she has joined the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuses (Outa) as its new executive director.

There are critics who might view Khoza as something of a political butterfly, flitting from one appealing place to another – but that would be to sell her short. There is no doubt that she made sacrifices – and put up with threats and intimidation – for her stand on corruption. She did not choose the easy way.

We look forward to seeing her presence in Outa which has, as an organisation, built itself into a formidable civil society force for good.

Khoza’s assessment of the current state of South Africa’s citizenry – she feels they have given up on politics – is also interesting. The established parties, from all shades of the ideological spectrum, have all lost disillusioned members … so Khoza’s view could be close to the truth.

We do agree with her, though, that civil society needs to be much more visible. Running a country is too important a job to leave to politicians …