I learnt today that ANC President Jacob Zuma has for the fourth time passed up an opportunity of a public debate on matters of policy with me. This is regrettable, especially since Zuma challenged his political opponents to a debate on policies during a speech at the Jabulani Stadium in Soweto on Sunday.
The Star has gone to great lengths to arrange a debate between leaders of various political parties this coming Thursday. I had indicated that I would participate in the debate if Zuma confirmed his attendance. However, Zuma has declined the invitation and ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe will now represent the ruling party.
On 15 October 2008, in a special televised interview on SABC 1, Zuma claimed that the opposition has no policy, despite the fact that, in the last three months, the DA has released four comprehensive policy documents dealing with the criminal justice system, education, sport and social development. This statement is all the more disingenuous as all of these policies have been provided to the ANC.
Speaking in Umtata last year, Zuma argued that opposition parties had no right to exist if they could not formulate better policies than the ruling party. Needless to say, according to Zuma, the ANC has the right to decide whose policies are better.
He remarked: "If the ANC has the best policies, what is the problem?" "If everyone supports the ANC, then there is no problem. That is except if you want a debate at a university's debating society, because no one has proposed better policies than us."
The arrogance of this claim has now been underscored by Zuma's unavailability for the panel discussion hosted by the Star. He is demonstrating a disdain for political opposition and democracy.
I reiterate my challenge to Jacob Zuma to come out of his corner and defend the ruling party's policies in order to present the South African public with a clear choice - between the closed, patronage-driven society espoused by the ANC and the open, opportunity-driven society championed by the DA.
Statement issued by Democratic Alliance leader, Helen Zille, November 5 2008
