Making change for Mandela
ETERAN political activists, including Jerry Coovadia and Farouk Meer, believe the government is not following the ideals of Nelson Mandela. In an attempt to strengthen democracy in South Africa they are part of a newly formed Active Citizens’ Movement (ACM), striving to create a “decent society”.
The movement, said Coovadia, was not party political and was in its developmental stage.
It is expected to be officially launched in October.
According to both stalwarts, it is important to develop an organisation that brings together a group of people whose roots are philosophically entrenched in the United Democratic Front and the Natal Indian Congress, and that aims to make citizens aware of what is happening in the country so they can transform the existing order though non-violence.
Coovadia said the ACM was an extension of a similar set of ideals that united people working on the ground.
“And our history (during apartheid) was working from the bottom up,” he said.
Coovadia added that he had become part of the ACM because he was opposed to the “catastrophic events” taking place in the country.
He wanted to help build a decent society for his children and grandchildren as well as other families.
By “catastrophic”, Coovadia said he meant the failures of the state, and service-related struggles, which led to violence.
He believed the constitution needed to be re-examined at in terms of the “business of the powers of the president”.
Coovadia said that when the constitution was drawn up, many had thought about leaders of the calibre of Mandela and assumed everything thereafter would be fine in terms succession.
“But there is something wrong with the system, when people (voters preparing for the upcoming local government elections) cannot elect those they want to represent them,” he said.
“The voter is the one with the power to decide who he wants to represent him, and not the parties, who are deciding who will be nominated.”
When asked if South Africa was living up to Mandela’s legacy, he said: “Of course not. It takes years of hard work to live life according to Mandela’s legacy.
“First, we need to build an economy. We are so badly off. We also need equity. The gap between the rich and the ordinary people is massive. We must sort out society according to just, equitable and peaceful goals.”
He said the issue of racism regularly rearing its ugly head was also a cause for “real concern”.
“We are 22 years into democracy and the issue of racism remains. It’s not only racism against black people, but racism against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) communities and minority groups, it is across gender and ethnicity.”
Coovadia said he was perturbed by anti-Indian statements made by the leaders of the Mazibuye African Forum.
Depressing
“To hear them talk (like this) was depressing in the extreme. We are moving on to trying to find solutions to bigger problems, such as the economy, education, unemployment, and poverty. Now they go on to the same old rotten, stupid argument of sending Indians back to India.
“I heard this 40 years ago during apartheid. I am shocked that people still have these views.”
He said these outlooks could serve as a catalyst for further discrimination and action against minority groups.
Coovadia said it was therefore vital for the ACM to unite to address “burning issues” plaguing society and the country.
To tackle issues of government and issues affecting citizens, he said, required the intervention of all South Africans.
Coovadia added the movement’s intention was to develop a vision and a mission to meet the aspirations of all races.
“Our principles are (among others) to work towards creating non-racialism, equity and freedom, as well as getting a government that is responsive and accountable.
“I want a decent society. I want to see the country succeed and get rid of its problems.
“I don’t want others to go through what we went through during apartheid. It created a scar on my personality that I can never get rid of. It’s deep.”
Meer said he became part of the ACM in light of what was happening in the ANC government.
He said the party had taken the Nkandla issue too lightly and were just following President Jacob Zuma.
“Even he didn’t appreciate the damage he had done in Nkandla and had squandered money,” said Meer. He added that Zuma had gone against the constitution on this and other issues.
“In any other civilised country, the head of state would have resigned.”
The ANC National Executive Committee, said Meer, should have given Zuma his marching orders, as it had done to Thabo Mbeki, who “did far less damage to this country that Zuma had done”.
Meer said: “We (the ACM) are trying to fight for democracy. We will ourselves mobilise for mass action like in the days of the United Democratic Front.”
Asked to explain what he meant, he said: “The UDF’s intention was never to create violence in the country. Their modus operandi was for people to become conscious of what was happening in South Africa and to rise up against the existing order (then apartheid) via non-violence.”
Meer said South Africa was not living Mandela’s legacy. “Not at all.” He said he could no longer call himself a member of the ANC.
“The ANC I knew, which was led by Mandela and Walter Sisulu, no longer exists.
“I will never be party to the present ANC.
“I will never call myself a member of the ANC, primarily due to the manner in which they conduct themselves.”
Meer said the political appointments made were of mediocre calibre.
Other stalwarts who attended the movement’s recent workshop at the Durban University of Technology included Yusuf Vawda, Eunice David, Siva Naidoo, Swaminathan Gounden and retired judge Thumba Pillay.