Contradictions a way of life in political landscape of SA

Contradiction, ever fashionable in SA, is certainly this season’s colour. In so many ways, SA is a perpetual state of unresolved contradictions and contestations.

Time and again, contradictions signal emaciation of political ideas and ideals. Too often, it is cause of political stagnation, even paralysis. But a contradiction is not always problematic, for its resolution can elevate both thinking and outcome. After all, in the words of the celebrated physicist Albert Einstein, “Problems cannot be solved with the same mind-set that created them”.

Contradictions arise when reality exposes hypocrisy. If we fail to make contradictions visible, they will inevitably show themse ves. As is the case with is out ofltandem with its original Cosatu which finds itself in a calamity of incongruity. This body patterning as a formidable worker union federation; its prowess lost in factional party politics.

Proudly supportive of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ascendancy and a key figure on the anti-Zuma catwalk, Cosatu recently pro tested against Ra map ho sa’ s proposed refashioning of Eskom into three distinct entities. But just a year after Ramaphosa took office the illogicality of a worker body backing a capitalist is already showing. During last week’s march, Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla spoke of the plight of workers “whose jobs are being threatened on a daily basis”.

Cos atu’ sp residential campaigning portraiture of Ramaphosa as a head of state who would put workers’ interests first is now both a painful parody and paradox. Interestingly, it has eme ged that Ramaphosa did not withralliance partners. The outrage consult Cosatu on the Eskom ‘’restructuring’’ (code word for ‘’retrenchments’’). This is despite much pre-election commitment to a stronger working relationships from Cosatu on this has been rather muted in stark contrast to the wrath against former president Jacob Zuma when he did not confer with the alliance partners on a cabinet reshuffle. A contradiction indeed. Could it be that SA’s largest trade union federation is more invested in the fate of individual politicians than in the fate of the working class itself?

Unlike Cosatu, Ramaphosa is clear on his stance. His consistent inclination to business interests is reflected in the supportfrom markets. Closing the Investment Summit in Octoberlast year, Ramaphosa said that ‘’we must move away from what we have been fed, where we have treated our business people like enemies’’. He went on to say ‘’let us see our business people as heroes”.

To sate its broad and ideologically diverse support base, the ANC has historically compromised many of its ideals and ideas. But inevitably the contradictions have become more visible and morefraught. The “talk left, walk right” bearing has never been as apparent as it is now. A super-sized, internationally fashioned new economic model appears to have knocked radical economic transformation offstage.

The will and dictates of Western powers remain supreme in SA 25 years into democracy. Ostensiblya free nation, SAouth Africa behaves like a colony, seeking salvation in begging bowl economics rather than on the heel of selfdetermination. For a liberation movement to be so reliant on its colonial masters must surely be the king of all contradictions!

Professor Seepe is a political analyst and Heller a strategic communication specialist

‘‘ Could Cosatu be more invested in fate of individual politicians than working class?