Dear Editor,
As expected there is heightened interest in the wellbeing of the community on the part of those competing to become officers of the Linden municipality. Contestants are seizing every opportunity to persuade anyone who is willing to lend an ear, and this is understandable, since they must show their colours, sell themselves to the people and impress upon them their sincerity and ability to bring betterment to the town. Lord knows, we need it. These are the times when all energies are directed towards the attainment of a goal; these are the times when we hear the grand proposals and promises, when every contestant will be willing to entertain your point of view. For your vote they would even drink water from your shoe and never forget to tell you ‘God bless you.’ This is the way of politics and this is the season, but from past lessons we know that once the season is over and the heart’s desire attained, it’s a different ball game.
And so, as the jostling for position has begun, it is my wish that residents with the help of their sixth sense can detect the wolves in sheep’s clothing; rogues who should not be entrusted with conducting their affairs. The horrible, disgusting and mean things you have seen and heard them do and say with a straight face is unbelievable! Brass faced, they shamelessly prance about, fitting in, without showing even one iota of guilt as if they are soulless creatures; and you are left dumbstruck that these very people have the temerity to present themselves as a virtuous, righteous candidates to represent the people. And it hurts you when you see decent, innocent and trusting people who are duped by them.
Yet another disturbing aspect which you have to contend with when you are African, is that some of the disreputable seekers of office, being of the same ethnicity, think they have a licence to treat you any old how, and you are expected to endorse and support them simply because “we is done one,” and “Other race does do the same thing, na we alone.” Well excuse me, please! Right is right and wrong is wrong, no matter who or what race does it. Editor, these are things which must be addressed if we are to move ahead in harmony; people cannot buy into cheap and empty sentimentality which only serves to oppress the majority and build up a few.
When will we be true to our own selves? There seems to be a fashion in political behaviour by some of the contenders and political activists, which puts Lindeners between a rock and a hard place; their insincerity could make you sick. Anyone in a leadership position who cannot empathize with the predicament of the ordinary, everyday people is an outright opportunist. Jobs are scarce in the community; many are not earning and most jobs are underpaying, and the reality is that many are literally struggling to survive. No doubt some are doing quite well and care not a toss about anything else. Yet you hear talk about increasing the cost of various services and electricity rates, taxes, etc. So while leaders say one thing – deploring the harsh conditions ‒ on the other hand they endorse imposing these added burdens on the people fighting to cope. Those who are not earning adequate wages cannot keep up with paying the bills, much less those who are not earning. What of the elderly whom we don’t seem to care about? But most of the top functionaries behave in the way they do because they are not personally affected; they are doing well, so they sit smug and feel aloof. Any wonder that the ordinary, trusting folks, distressed and frustrated and not knowing what next or who to turn to resign themselves to wishing and praying better would come to pass.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
