Open letter to the country’s future leader

Fulfil your constitutional duties so government can function at optimum levels, writes Mohamed Saeed

Dear aspiring leader of the ANC, I am humbly appealing to you to look seriously into the governance in our beautiful but diverse country. The ANC-led government has, without a doubt, played a major role in developing and extending democracy and freedom through human rights to all South Africans; providing important basic services, such as healthcare, ed- ucation, water, sewage, refuse removal and electricity, which were inaccessible during the repressive and violent years of apartheid.

The corruption and injustices we are currently witnessing are eroding the achievements and noble visions of our democratic founding struggle heroes.

More than two decades into democracy, there is a growing concern across South Africa regarding the competence of many government structures – especially the municipalities. They are important mechanisms in the construction of state institutions as they deal directly with people. They are also crucial partners to attract investments, create jobs, rural development, address poverty, and deliver services to communities.

Notwithstanding these milestones, I believe lack of financial management, transparency and accountability, corruption, nepotism, tender-related fraud and factionalism are impeding transformation and nation building.

I urge the future leader to fulfil his or her constitutional duties so that the different structures can function at optimum levels.