Opposition parties need to catch a wake-up call and capitalise on the bumbling ANC, writes Justice Malala and asks how after 28 years of democracy there hasn’t been a single opposition party capable of dethroning the ANC from national power?
Malala writes that the country has been on a stagnation course since 2008 yet there has been little South Africa’s opposition could do to stop the decisions made by the governing party and boot them out of office.
The political commentator contends that the ANC has, in fact, taken over the job of being the opposition and cites President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech in Mangaung over the weekend as evidence.
“He told his audience: “Our meeting today will lead to a number of changes, as you have heard. We are continuing to work to correct the many things that have gone wrong in our country, including things like corruption, criminality, state capture and all those issues. We will get this country right.”
Malala contends that the “wolf will protect the sheep.”
And if the election of corruption accused Zandile Gumede as chair of the ANC’s eThekwini region is anything to go by then Ramaphosa needs to be wary of claiming his party is going to fix what it broke.
Financial Times writes the election of Gumede underscores the fact that the radical economic transformation (RET) faction of the party – led by Jacob Zuma and Ace Magushule – has not been vanquished as has been predicted by analysts.
The election of Gumede is just the latest showing that the RET faction is alive and kicking after the election, a week ago, of Mandla Msibi as the ANC’s provincial treasurer in Mpumalanga, even though he’s facing two murder charges.
“Msibi was subsequently told to step aside, and complied, but the fact that he (and Gumede) even stood for election, and were chosen, tells you all you need to know about the party’s rotten culture,” writes the publication.
Here’s a round-up of opinions, editorials, and in-depth articles we’re reading:
Zandile Gumede fiasco shows South Africa is not above political turmoil – Zama Ndlovu, Mail & Guardian
Gumede’s Stalingrad pattern follows ‘RET godfather’ Zuma – Martin Williams, The Citizen (for subscribers)
The war in Ukraine: A silent assault on the developing world – António Guterres, City Press
Lindiwe Sisulu’s adviser: ‘Don’t write off her chances in 2022’ – Mphumzi Mdekazi, Daily Maverick
SA owes a lot to the national treasures in the National Treasury – Caiphus Kgosana, Sunday Times Daily (for subscribers)
KZN needs all the help it can get, starting with government – Editorial, Sunday Times Daily (for subscribers)
A big man’s free-speech straw man: when Elon took and shook Twitter – Kate Thompson Davy, Business Day
