Activist joins new civic body

COMMUNITY activist Visvin Reddy has been appointed provincial co-ordinator of the newly formed civil society organisation, One South Africa Movement (Osam).

Reddy will be responsible for setting up structures in Osam, the organisation headed by former DA leader Mmusi Maimane. Two weeks ago the Sunday Tribune Herald reported that Durban-based political party, Minorities of South Africa (Mosa), had objected with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to the registration of Maimane’s organisation, Movement for One South Africa using the same initials or acronym. It was then changed to OSAM.

Reddy emphasised that Osam was not a political party, but a civic movement of people who were fed up with the politics in South Africa. “The reality is our political system needs to change, where the politicians become accountable to their voters and citizens.

“Currently, they are accountable to their party bosses.

“We see politicians only pop up during election time. We are developing a charter where we say this is what we expect of a political representative.

“There is no need for huge security details for councillors and mayors,” said Reddy.

Osam activists will meet today at the Blue Lagoon Conference Centre to discuss plans about setting up regional and ward structures.

Reddy said he was still an ANC member who supports the organisation’s principles and values. “Unfortunately, the ANC in government is not what I support. It has failed. We need a movement that would empower citizens. Many of us belong to other political parties. The organisation has people from all political parties committed to see change.

“We are simply fed up with the way politics is being run,” he said.

He said there was a need to empower community members to become activists.

“We are conscientising people in communities and educating them of their rights. We believe an empowered nation is a nation that improves.”

Reddy said activism was growing for all the wrong reasons because of the absence of “proactive leadership in the part of our elected leaders”. He said they had been championing issues affecting communities, namely load shedding and fuel price hikes.

“There is a need for us to make Parliament work. Currently, money is being lost through inefficiency and corruption.”

When asked what he would do if the organisation chose to register for elections, Reddy said he would cross that bridge when they got to it.

Political analyst Lubna Nadvi said any civil society structure that is inviting participation from South Africans broadly, no matter what their political affiliation may be, was a good thing. “Any civil society structure, whether from a multi-faith perspective or interfaith perspective or former heads of political parties, or youth group, that is calling on people to support democracy and public participation is a good thing.

“As for Visvin’s participation, as a South African he is free, like everyone else to participate in any other structures that he wishes.

“I can’t say it is politically appropriate or inappropriate. I think the more South Africans participate in public dialogue the better,” said Nadvi.