Be a statesman, not a politician

A politician asks, “what can my country do for me?” A statesman asks, “what can I do for my country?”

Unfortunately, most of those who choose careers in politics become politicians, not statesmen and women, because of greed and lack of integrity as the Zondo Commission is revealing.

Though Agrizzi’s evidence is untested, there is no smoke without fire. The resolution of the ANC is that if for whatever reason there is a cloud over an ANC leader’s head they should withdraw themselves from any leadership position.

Those fingered in the Bosasa “Greek tragedy”, if they loved the ANC, instead of maintaining a pregnant silence would by now have voluntarily announced their withdrawal from the lists.

That in this instance is the acid test of whether they are politicians or statesmen.

Of course that will not happen. They will wait to appear before the integrity committee. If these selfish, arrogant leaders who love themselves more than our glorious movement are allowed to take their seats in parliament after the elections, the ANC will be shooting itself in the foot.

The president should have pronounced on the implementation of the resolution instead of this pregnant silence. Cry our beloved ANC (apologies to Alan Paton).

DR Galloway, Nelson Mandela Bay