The Lame Duck Government: South Africa’s Last Chance Saloon
As the once mighty bus of democracy stutters to a halt, the people of South Africa are left to wonder if it’s too late to hop on and steer this trainwreck back onto the tracks. The so-called “government of national unity” (GNU) has been touted as the savior of the embattled nation, but we all know that desperate measures are often the birthplace of even greater failures.
Alison Weihe, author and former trade unionist, has witnessed the turbulent journey of South Africa to democracy and emerged scarred but wiser. Her memoir, Belonging: Finding Tribes of Meaning, chronicles her own struggles of self-discovery and growth, but her words echo through the corridors of history as a cautionary tale for the current crop of politicians.
“The GNU holds grand potential to rejuvenate and renew our democratic experience, principles and practices?” Give me a break! The only thing it holds potential for is further exploitation of the already exhausted workforce, perpetuation of corrupt business practices, and endless spin doctoring to avoid taking responsibility for the growing chaos.
And don’t even get me started on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s grandiose announcement that the GNU is “fulfillment of the wishes of the electorate”. Tell that to the majority of South Africans who continue to struggle to make ends meet, who are ignored by the very government supposed to represent them.
“Redress and equality? Alleviation of poverty? Human dignity and progressive realisation of socioeconomic rights? Unity in diversity?” What a load of lip service! The GNU has the heart of ordinary South Africans at its centre, or so they claim, but the reality is far from it. The gap between the haves and have-nots continues to grow, and the already-fractured society remains mired in division.
“Stabilise the economy and foster growth”? More like stabilize the flow of bribes and grease the wheels of corruption to further enrich the already obscenely wealthy elite! The GNU is nothing more than a smokescreen for the status quo to maintain its grip on power while the people continue to suffer.
So, by all means, let the GNU “partner to actualise this Rainbow Nation” while the rest of us wallow in the dirt of despair. But when the dust settles and the history books are written, don’t say I didn’t warn you. The people of South Africa will eventually rise up and take back what’s rightfully theirs – and it won’t be pretty.
Source link
