Struggle politicians must take a back seat

THE NARROW margin with which Cyril Ramaphosa won the presidential race is a false reflection of his popularity but a clear indication of the division in the ANC. The 2 200 votes that went to Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma shows how far Zuma’s influence has filtered into the rank and file of the ANC. NDZ is absolutely no match for the seasoned, well-spoken and clearthinking Ramaphosa.

NDZ ran a very lacklustre campaign singing the populist tune of radical economic transformation taken out of Malema’s hymn book.

She remained utterly silent about her former husband’s violation of the constitution, state capture, the Guptas’ illegal interference with government appointments and the widespread corruption in all our SOE’s (Eskom, Prasa SABC and in the Department of Social Services).

Her response when asked about Zuma and Nkandla, that she saw nothing wrong about her former husband having a home, clearly revealed where her sympathies lie.

If left to ordinary members of the public or even to the rank and file of the ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa would have won, hands down.

It has been rumoured that the exiles were unhappy that Ramaphosa, fought from within the country. Two exiles were given a chance to run the country and many of them held senior positions in government. Both presidents proved useless and the many in senior government positions have proved to be outright self-serving rogues.

The one exile lived in luxury reading Shakespeare, while the other was doing battle from a bush, singing umshini wami. Cyril was busy championing the rights of mine workers from within. Madiba was cognisant of Ramphosa’s capabilities but had to succumb to the wishes of his party and hand over the reins to Thabo.

It is time that Struggle politicians are given a back seat to allow more competent people to run the affairs of the country. People appointed into government positions must be thoroughly vetted. Anyone with a criminal record or lacking proper qualifications should not be allowed to serve in public office.

During Zuma’s reign, the mining industry shed 100 000 jobs, with another 100 000 likely to be shed in the next 10 years. This means two million people will suffer because of these job losses.

Hopefully, with Cyril Ramaphosa at the helm a change in mining policy could reverse the trend and reduce the unemployment rate in this country.

Parliament should abide by the Concourt’s instruction to impeach the president so that the country can be run by an able president that is not controlled by the offices in Saxonworld – or have they already disappeared from the scene?