ANC doesn’t deserve a second chance

LIKE squirrels collecting acorns for the long winter ahead, ANC councillors and aspiring candidates for the local elections are scurrying around gathering votes. But once they have gathered enough votes to secure them a seat in the local council, they will, in all probability, forget about you and I and our problems and disappear into their plush uMhlanga mansions.

They will only be seen at high-profile functions, flashing around in their luxury cars. Then they will be negotiating juicy, underhanded deals to fatten their purses.

With so many candidates vying for your vote you may be bewildered, not knowing which candidate to choose.

But it’s not so difficult. If you have been complaining about poor service delivery, mismanagement and corruption, then now is your chance to make a meaningful contribution to the coming local elections.

Don’t vote for the ANC or a candidate from that party. The ANC has been in power for almost three decades. That is a long time to make this resource-rich country the envy of the world. But, as we all know, the ANC has not established a democracy but a kleptocracy.

Look for a candidate who hasn’t popped up like a mushroom just before the elections. Mushrooms are tasty but some of them are poisonous.

Look for a community leader who is passionate about serving the people. A dedicated community leader will need no last-minute canvassing.

But be wary of party-hoppers, floor crosses and turncoats. They have no qualms about going to bed with the ANC when it dangles a carrot in front of them. Another chance?

No, the ANC doesn’t deserve it. It had more than enough time to fulfil its promises and improve the lives of the masses.

Rather, make your cross to vote out corruption.

T MARKANDAN | Kloof