The ANC's five steps that are drowning the country

Now in power for the past 20 years the ANC has taken measures which have severely undermined South Africa. Sure, they inherited a terrible legacy from apartheid. But 20 years on it is the measures taken by the ANC that are blighting the country's hopes.

1. Allowing corruption to become an acceptable part of ANC culture and refusing to hold leaders like Jacob Zuma to account for their misdeeds.  The 700 allegations of corruption from the Arms Deal still hang over Zuma. Then there are the sums of public money spent on Nkandla. As well as the treatment of the Gupta family by ‘Number One'. Nor is Zuma alone. The ANC's ranks in parliament include those against whom charges have actually been proved - including men like Tony Yengeni. Once a proud and upright party, the ANC today provides a safe haven for some of the more sleazy and disreputable members of society.
2. Allowing key institutions to fall into disrepute. The parliament is no longer a place in which the executive is held to account. President Zuma has been shielded from tough questioning when he deigns to appear before it. Julius Malema's EFF has caused a good deal of noise about this, but neither they nor the Democratic Alliance have been able to use parliament in the way in which the Constitution envisaged. Nor is it just parliament. The judiciary has been unable to deal with charges against the President. And the allegation that the Judge President of the Western Cape, Justice John Hlophe attempted to manipulate judges of the Constitutional Court has also never been resolved.
3. The economy is in the doldrums. Around a third of adults are unemployed and have little hope that this will change any time soon. South Africa's credit rating is on the slide. In June Standard & Poors S&P's gave South African debt its lowest investment grade - just one notch above "junk" status shunned by many investors. Transparency International's corruption rating has moved in the same direction. Who would plan major investments in a country with this kind of record?
4. Making friends with dictators. Once South Africa (and the ANC) was admired around the world. No longer. Its record of cosying up to men like Libya's later leader, Colonel Gaddafi did South Africa no favours. Now it sees its best friends as Russia's Putin and China's Xi Jinping. Old allies in Europe and the USA are shunned or sneered at. In Africa, Zuma's reliance on  dictators like Angola's Jose Eduardo dos Santos and support for Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe have also been far more damaging than is generally realised.
5. Those old enemies of a secure, stable society - crime and violence - have been allowed to flourish. There were 16,259 murders in 2012/13 - or nearly 47 a day. Rape is at epidemic proportions, as is robbery. Yet there is no indication that the ANC, or Jacob Zuma, has the slightest idea what to do.

The real danger is cumulative: that South Africa gradually declines; not just sinking but slowly drowning. It is a depressing, avoidable fate.

Five reasons for continued optimism

Yesterday I wrote about the ANC and five ways it is undermining the country (above). Today: five reasons why I continue to be optimistic.

1. Above all else - the indefatigable determination of our people to stand up for our rights. South Africans simply don't take injustice lying down. Sometimes they will go to the courts. Sometimes they will take to the streets. The protests can be pleasant and peaceful. At other times they are violent and destructive. There were 13 575community related protests in the country between April last year and March 2014. We stand up for our rights! This resistance is supported by a strong and vocal civic society. Movements from the Treatment Action Campaign to the Legal Resources Centre back ordinary people as they struggle to get everything from health care to housing. Few countries can match the depth and strength of these organisations. Their work is buttressed by a watchful and independent media reporting on government at every level, holding it to account. The media are an effective watchdog, despite the failures of the SABC and attempts to buy up and control some sections of the press.
2. Our political parties are innovative, challenging and keep popping up! The Economic Freedom Fighters have certainly made Parliament more colourful and their opposition is hard to ignore. At the same time the Democratic Alliance is now a truly representative, multiracial party. When did you last see a white face at the ANC top table? But there are plenty of black faces in the DA leadership. The ANC has a proud past and many good people in it, but the party has become arrogant and complacent in power. It badly needs to lose office and reform itself.
3. South Africa has  world class Universities. These centres of excellence provide a steady stream of highly trained, motivated young men and women. Many will go on to start businesses that will provide the jobs that are so badly needed. Others will staff hospitals and schools, and help to drive up standards.
4. The country has given rise to some of the great businesses of the world - SAB Miller, Old Mutual, Anglo-American - the list goes on and on. Companies like Shopright have grown from a small Cape firm in 1979 to one of the top 100 retailers in the world. Today the Shoprite Group trades with 1581 corporate and 367 franchise outlets in 15 countries across Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.
5. South Africa is lekker. There is hardly a week without a festival or participatory sporting event of some kind. From the mighty Grahamstown Festival to the tiny Smithfield Platterland Preview. From the Comrades Marathon to thePlatteklip Challenge. Who can doubt that we know how to have a great time? It is a major draw card for tourists and help's keep us all cheerful. Not to be sneered at!

All in all, there is plenty to be optimistic about and plenty to celebrate.

Source: http://martinplaut.wordpress.com/

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