Progress, yes, but more is needed

WITH the battle for Mangaung just three months away, it is clear President Jacob Zuma is feeling the pressure – just as his predecessor must have done – of having his back firmly against the wall.

It would explain why the beleaguered ANC leader would feel the need to deviate from a prepared speech at a national local government conference, and launch an extraordinary attack on unnamed critics who he berated for continuing to highlight the weaknesses of his administration.

Zuma bemoaned the fact that his government wasn’t given credit for what it had achieved during 18 years of democratic rule and accused detractors of exploiting its “shyness” and reluctance to shout of its achievements from the rooftops.

In all fairness, there can be no doubt the ANC has made strides in improving the lot of poor black South Africans – a fact which the SA Institute of Race Relations says is borne out by its data that also shows the country has outdone other African nations in terms of service delivery.

But Zuma is being disingenuous by stating that his critics are exaggerating the failings of his government. We simply would not be witnessing the groundswell of protests the country continues to experience over lack of service delivery – not least of all in the Eastern Cape – if many South Africans, who voted for the ANC, were satisfied with their basic living conditions.

We fully agree with the president that those who attack the government should balance their views with the progress it has made. But by the same token, it must refrain from constantly being on the defensive, acknowledge its weaknesses, and demonstrate its commitment to bettering the lives of people by redoubling its efforts to address shortcomings.

With calls by ANC colleagues for radical change in party leadership, Zuma is fighting for his political life – but he must remember there are millions of other ordinary lives which he firmly undertook to improve when he was elected to office.