Readers’ views
Letter from the editor, 4 May
Responses to
I enjoyed your article about new and corrupt-free leaders. These kinds of articles help one to make a sober decision when voting. Thank you.
Sifundo Pokwana
Hi Heather,
I am a good bit older than you are, but I also prefer the idea of a younger leadership, who have more future ahead of them – they may take a longer-term view of their job and its outcomes.
I am feeling pretty down about this election, though. When I was a kid in the ’60s, I overheard my parents and their friends discussing who to vote for, and I remember my mom saying that it didn’t matter as much who you vote for, as long as it was against the Nationalists. I guess back then the major choices on offer were the NP and the United Party, and the UP was pretty much as bad as the Nats.
The question is, do we vote for “a corruption-free, collaborative, innovative, non-racial, educated, safe, just and equal future with a high employment rate for all of working age”, or do we vote against the worst possible outcome?
I don’t see the DA winning much because it stupidly clings to white leadership, and the last white president has come and gone already. The ANC doesn’t seem poised for outright victory either, which leaves the likelihood of a coalition. I think everyone agrees that is what will happen: the ANC plus someone.
MK and the EFF will probably be strong contenders for the ANC to invite into a coalition, and either of those would form the worst possible outcome, I think.
So, how to vote against the worst possible outcome? Vote for the second worst outcome, maybe, which is the status quo.
On a different topic, I would love to know why Bosa and Rise Mzansi are not one party? Surely combined they could be more than they are apart, even if they have policy differences?
William Nettmann
I’ll vote for Cyril Ramaphosa, as there’s no one else viable. And he’s basically an honourable guy. And rich enough not to need to be corrupt.
Slowly the corrupt are being brought to the courts. And slowly the money from State Capture is being repaid with due process of the National Prosecuting Authority. And slowly the South African Revenue Service is collecting taxes properly. And slowly social grants are helping the poor.
It’s all slow, but I feel hopeful things are coming right.
What I’m terrified of is a coalition of the ANC and the EFF. The ANC with the DA would work wonderfully – can I be hopeful that there are incorruptible grown-ups around who would actually put South Africa and its people first?
And I’m in Cape Town so I will vote for the DA locally – and it would probably do a good job nationally too – but my heart just tears at the ludicrous thought of South Africa having a white president.
So Cyril’s my man.
Stay safe and well.