Service delivery in SA not a political game

ANALYST: TRADING SERVICE DELIVERY FOR VOTES IS A DANGEROUS GAME

Violent service delivery protests in the country are a continuation of a culture inherited from the oppressive days of apartheid, says top political analyst.

The growing number of violent protests over poor service delivery shows that South Africa is an angry nation in need of a message of hope.

And more of the same is to come, according to political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe.

Seepe was commenting on the numerous violent protests that have been recorded this year countrywide.

He said politicians should stop making empty promises to the masses.

“All political parties are playing a dangerous game when they promise people that they will deliver if they vote for them.”

Seepe said the violence seen in some of the protests, was a continuation of a culture inherited from the days of apartheid.

“We still hear people saying they will make the country ungovernable if their demands are not met, and the protests have been a collective failure by the governers and the governed.”

He said politicians should instead start saying how best we can all work together to ensure everyone is empowered and able to take care of their families.

“Government can not do everything on its own. It is therefore important for politicians to say to people ‘ let us work together’,” Seepe said.

“What should have happened, post-apartheid, was engagement between leaders and the public on how to take the country forward in terms of improving the lives of everyone.

“That could have helped us stop the insane behaviour from apartheid [times],” Seepe said.

He added that people were growing impatient with empty promises and were saying “enough is enough”.

“These protests, which are engineered by the same people from the political parties, are likely to continue in the build-up to next year’s general elections,” he warned.