The ANC is losing sight of its liberal heritage

Lessons from Egypt for South Africa

http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71639?o...

Religion and politics always go hand in hand but this is a step too far...

If you think this is scary, you should take note of what the ANC government is doing in terms of education. Recently the newspapers were full of complaints about grammar and spelling errors in test papers. That is just the beginning: please read this!
http://www.litnet.co.za/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?cmd=cause_dir_news_item&cause_i...

The real question is what has the ANC achieved in the last 14 years? There is still a housing shortage of 4 million units, service delivery is not being monitored, and too little jobs are being created. The first big drive should be to supply housing to stablise the economy. If you own property and are you renting it? Then you need visit our blog and read our latest post on http://www.lessor.co.za/2011/02/landlords-costs-usually-payable-by-the-t....

There is plenty potential in South Africa, it just needs to be done.

The Anc fought for and gained what they see as "Freedom" from colonialism/Apartheit. What they dont seem to realise is that the more freedom one has, the more self discipline one needs, otherwise freedom becomes a state where there are no rules, no laws no prohibitions, where one does as one pleases, no matter the affect it has on others. The ANC has fallen into this state. They know no self discipline, they act only on whim, impulse and for instant gratification. They cannot sacrifice the pleasure of today for the good of the future. They seem to lack the ability to forsee the future consequences of an action taken or not taken in the now. Unfortunately the citizens of the land seem to have taken on the same lack of discipline in their daily lives. I frequently see drivers overtaking vehicles on double white lines at speeds way in excess of the speed limit. Murders, rapes and robberies are committed with no thought of the consequences (too frequently there are non, at least to the perpetrators). All of this is as a result of a lack of disciplined leadership and too much freedom.

The ANC is becoming far more interested in maintaining power than serving the people. Ever since the apartheid was lifted from South Africa, the ANC has been leading the nation and heading the democracy there. But now that other groups have developed and are running for power, the ANC is focusing more on winning the elections than serving the people. Even though the ANC sees itself as the "only true representative of the disenfranchised black majority", other groups are rising in power, showing that that view has changed from 1996. There is a more democratic atmosphere in South Africa now, and the people want to vote for their own specific ideas, and competition is developing. Its a sign of democracy, but the ANC needs to keep the people's interests first, rather than their own.

What liberal heritage?

This always amazes me. Since when did the ANC have a liberal heritage? "ANC" stands for African Nationalist Congress. It is an African Nationalist party, with an African Nationalist heritage.

The liberal impetus in the constitution follows from the presumption during its negotiation at CODESA that the National Party would not follow through on its process to bring a universal suffrage and an electoral system to the country. Hence the ANC negotiated to weaken the hegemony of the National Party at CODESA, which necessarily implied that it advanced liberal democratic initiatives. These are a function of the means by which power was transferred, not the heritage of the ANC.

At no point prior to CODESA, or post winning the 1994 election, has the ANC espoused liberal values. In key areas such as independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, public accountability and functioning of the legislature it has had a diminishing record when measured against liberal ideals.

Nor do its constituents understand democratic rights and responsibilities. In a world populated by a democratic citizenry, you cannot have public protest and civil disorder escalate simultaneously with popularity of the ruling party.

Liberal optimists may add their flame to that of the liberal opposition, and augur for the development of a South African liberal tradition. For the rest, assuming that the ANC or its broad base of supporters either desires or understands liberalism is an excercise in self delusion, bound to result in an increasing sense of indignation and outrage at the state of governance within South Africa.