Understanding Phillip Dexter's move: Politicians are not limited by any climate or nation and are therefore more unvarying than can be easily imagined

"I think my analysis of the state of affairs in our country is one in which I have realised that many of the problems I attributed to the ANC are actually societal problems, not problems of the political party itself. In my own view, COPE has failed and the political party that represents the vision and programme that I support is the ANC." - Phillip Dexter on re-joining the ANC.

I think in my analysis of the state of affairs in South Africa is one which I have realised that the philosophies, suppositions of our political leaders about our current reality and where this country should go have not been adequately articulated, shared and ingested by all citizens so that we may create the future we all desire and then some. This country lacks vision and continues to fight fires without a clear path to creating a socio economic architecture characterised by racial integration, prosperity and economic transformation. Our society is truly divided, impatient and anxious.

However after reflection on these matters I have realised that:

"It is a common error to assume that the politician's role is to create jobs, encourage economic activity, enhance the welfare and well-being of his subjects, and preserve the territorial integrity of his country.

In truth, the politician has a single and exclusive role: to get re-elected. His primary responsibility is to his party and its members. He owes them patronage: jobs, sinecures, guaranteed income or cash flow, access to the public purse, and the intoxicating wielding of power. His relationship is with his real constituency - the party's rank and file - and he is accountable to them.

To make sure that they get re-elected, politicians are sometimes required to implement reforms and policy measures that contribute to the general welfare of the populace and promote it. At other times, they have to refrain from action to preserve their electoral assets and extend their political life expectancy."  (Sam Vankin)

We must not therefore be naïve to the reality that politics is really about the self. It is about the self-preservation of those in power so that they may continue to exercise and wield authority over the public to their private advantage. It is about the self-preservation of cadres so that they may keep their jobs and perks. Remember that the African has come from a background of poverty and want and politics has created an avenue through which he or she may at last accumulate what he or she can and also wield authority over others. Power is the opium and ostentation the vice.

For those that aspire to be in power or to benefit, it is necessary that they align themselves with those that are in power and by that hopefully gain private advantage by association. They may abandon ship, form new alliances and break promises merely to further pursue their private advantage. For me there is nothing wrong with that for it is the nature of the beast.

It is in this context that we must understand politicians and not be disappointed.

Magaung will come and go, a new leadership will emerge but test me on the following profound observations by Jonathan Swift:

" ....politicians are not limited by any climate or nation and are therefore more unvarying than can be easily imagined. The universal motives of politicians are always focused on absolute dominion and anything they say or do is fixated on that. In general politicians desire to raise their own characters and may stifle general discontents to fill their coffers with forfeitures and raise or sink the opinion of public credit as to best answer their private advantage."

Let these truths liberate us.

Vince Musewe is an economist and you may contact him on [email protected]

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