Dear Editor,
Reference is made to your editorial ‘The Marikana Massacre and the unravelling of the ANC’ (Nov 18).
The ANC is not exactly unravelling; Yes, it is losing support, but it will remain the dominant party for decades to come somewhat similar to Guyana because of the racial arithmetic (although ethnic rule in Guyana is changing rapidly). I visited South Africa a few times and I have many stories to tell about my experience in various parts of the country. I also obtained the views of people towards the ruling ANC that has been office since multi-racial elections were allowed over twenty years ago. (As an aside, SA is one of one of the most beautiful countries I have visited. Its landscape is spectacular – nothing like it in the rest of Africa or in the other continents I visited.
It is also the most dangerous country I visited in terms of robbery and personal safety – worse than Guyana. Fear grips you in certain neighbourhoods and on certain streets and I witnessed white tourists becoming the victims of criminals who pounced on wallets, chains, cameras, wrist watches – any valuable.
They will literally cut you up to get what they want. Hotel workers of black and mixed descent warned me to put away my watch and camera and change my name brand sneakers and designer shirts, otherwise I would be identified as a foreigner and be targeted by the criminals.
They also warned me to avoid certain streets. Even in popular shopping areas, people are told to be careful of criminals; the police don’t do much. But the beauty of the place attracts you and I will visit its magnificent cities again and again in spite of security challenges.
There is something about the place, especially the Province of Natal where Mahatma Gandhi lived, that serves as a magnet for me).
As the editorial pointed out, the ANC has disappointed the population with its corruption and inept governance. South African Blacks told me they are not pleased with their government. Their government has disappointed them. There was so much hope, expectation and potential after the end of apartheid. All of that has dissipated.
In fact, many told me they were better off (in terms of standard of living and security) under apartheid rule. But they will not vote the ANC out of office because of its in-built majority based on racial voting; Blacks justifiably are not going back to minority white rule. As in Guyana, people vote ‘ethnic’ and that is not likely to change soon.
Nevertheless, the ANC has been losing political support ever since Mandela was elected as President. Its percentage of votes in every election has been declining, but it is far from losing its majority. After Zuma’s re-election, when the party scored its worst result, local elections come due next where the ANC is not expected to do that well; turnout will be very low. People have not had the same respect for the others who succeeded Mandela as President.
Voters are turned off by corruption which is the biggest issue (behind crime) as focused upon in your editorial, and South Africans are not afraid to identify the corrupt. President Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa are only the tip of the pyramid in the news in terms of allegations. Almost every single official of the party is rumoured involved in some financial scam or scandal. It is reported in the papers that Ramaphosa is almost a billionaire in US dollar terms – imagine the kind of wealth being acquired by party biggies in the mere twenty years that the party has been in office, while many millions of party supporters go to bed hungry. Unemployment is extremely high and is the driving factor behind the uncontrollable crime. In terms of crime, people related experiences of criminals simply walking into your home and taking what they want and/or occupying their houses. Newspapers have had endless reports on criminals taking over trains and buses and robbing people. Visitors are advised not to ride the trains and buses – what a shame because South Africa has modern trains and buses just like the European countries that would make for easy, convenient travel.
South Africa has not lived up to its economic potential since it transitioned to majority Black rule. It is the largest and wealthiest economy in Africa that is a magnet to immigrants from neighbouring countries. But much needs to be done by the ANC to return the country to the law and order situation that existed when Mandela was President. He made every effort to lift the lives of the poor and to crack down on the criminals and the economy did well. He did not condone revengeful acts against Whites and he condemned those who targeted Indians, noting that the latter contributed as much as others in the struggle against apartheid rule. President Zuma has to take a page from Mandela and clamp down on corruption, crime and ethnic discrimination. He must take measures to end the alienation of ANC supporters who fought against apartheid rule. And he must also end the vindictiveness against critics and those who are championing the struggle against corruption. Everyone wants to see a great South Africa, but the country will not realize its true potential unless there is better governance.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
