Hold your tickets, not your breath

PSSST! Wanna hot tip straight from the politicians mouth? That’s the buzz doing the rounds in the corridors of power these days as pundits size up the motley field likely to contest the Presidential Stakes to be run at Mangaung racecourse in December.

And if, for a moment, you ever believed punters and politicians had little in common, you’d be seriously mistaken.

Both have one-track minds, rely on commentators to put them in the picture, harbour an abiding obsession with races and love money like it’s going out of fashion.

Heading up the field for the Presidential Stakes is the rurally bred hot pot favourite, Jacob Zuma, who has won the race before and is looking for a repeat performance.

Despite carrying condition and top weight, he has strong Struggle credentials to win again and political punters in his home province of Kwazulu-natal reckon he’s unbeatable, giving him the thumbs up at the local gallops in Newcastle last week.

While it may appear all over bar the toyi-toyiing, you’d be foolish to discount the chances of wily contender Kgalema Motlanthe, who is hard to assess simply because he seems tongue-tied.

Insiders say he’s the dark horse in the field, but it would be prudent to hold back bets in case he decides to withdraw just before the “off”.

Another for the notebook is the so-called money horse, seasoned campaigner Tokyo Sexwale, who is making his third bid for the Presidential Stakes. His supporters say he has been entered because they believe the time has arrived for ABZ (Anyone But Zuma).

If money does talk, he could prove the event’s surprise package.

Although officially scratched, distant outsider Julius Malema has also decided to enter the fray, and is not too concerned if the race is run at snail’s pace. “I will lead… you must put it in the archives. It doesn’t matter what time it takes,” he declared to his youthful supporters this week.

But against him is that he’s blinkered, is widely drawn – in the political wilderness in fact – and tends to froth at the mouth when in full flight. He may be a horse one will have to follow in the future.

So there you have it, folks. The pundits have spoken and the everyday punter on the street will soon be asked to make a critical choice that could make or break their hopes for a better future.

They’re holding thumbs and hoping that if they back the right horse, they’ll be able to join the winning queue for RDP houses, cheaper electricity, clean water, better sanitation and lower food prices, all that was promised to them after democracy.

Hold on to your tickets, folks; just don’t hold your breath.

dennis.pather@telkomsa.net