Elections South Africa 2024

My political musings – a bit of a long one, but if we want true change – and assuming/believing that the ballot box does have the potential to change the trajectory of the country as a whole – for the good, we need to think hard and deep now that the 2024 election date has been announced in .

Do people vote for the current ANC administration, simply because previous generations of ANC stalwarts (of various races and backgrounds) played a large part in bringing apartheid to an end? An ANC that today is fractured and headed by politicians with little foresight and many of whom have been mired in corruption allegations. Think no further than the Phala Phala story – even if it wasn’t the initial amount reported of U.S $4 million cash stolen and just a “mere” $580 000 cash stolen that was stashed in a couch, in early 2020, not long after he became President, the question begs why was that money being “hid” in Ramasofa’s residence in the first place and so soon after he became President? That money could have been put to use making sure that no child went hungry – in his inauguration speech he stated that “No child should go hungry….”

From an article in SAnews.gov.za , recently –

“The health sector is expected to receive an allocation of R848 billion over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework with at least R1.4 billion directed to the National Health Insurance (NHI). This was announced by Minister Enoch Godongwana during the 2024 Budget Speech on Wednesday.“These allocations include R11.6 billion to address the 2023 wage agreement, R27.3 billion for infrastructure, and R1.4 billion for the NHI grant over the same period…..”. If this current ANC manages to remain in power it will be just “a loota continua…..” of the public purse.

When dear Cyril became President of , in 2019, he said these things in his inauguration speech, not in its entirety, but points I feel relevant, when considering the last five years under his administration and points in particular to the NHI.

1) “In recent times, our people have watched as some of those in whom they had invested their trust have surrendered to the temptation of power and riches. They have seen some of the very institutions of our democracy eroded and resources squandered.”

2) “South Africans want action and not just words and promises. And there will be action.”

3) “As a nation we therefore can no longer abide the grave disparities of wealth and opportunity that have defined our past and which threaten to imperil our future. It is our shared will – and our shared responsibility – to build a society that knows neither privilege nor disadvantage. It is a society where those who have much are willing to share with those who have little.”

4) “It is a society where every person, regardless of race or sex or circumstance, may experience the fundamental necessities of a decent, dignified life.”

5) “Let us forge a compact for an efficient, capable and ethical state, a state that is free from corruption, for companies that generate social value and propel human development, for elected officials and public servants who faithfully serve no other cause than that of the public.”

6) “Let us end the dominion that men claim over women, the denial of opportunity, the abuse and the violence, the neglect, and the disregard of each person’s equal rights.”

7) “Let us build a truly non-racial society, one that belongs to all South Africans, and in which all South Africans belong.”

Discussing each point in my view –

1) In “recent” times – prior to his 2019 election, nothing much has changed, those whom people put their trust in have continued to surrender to the temptation of power and riches – while far too many people still languish in poverty. Our institutions of “democracy” have continued to be eroded and resources squandered.

2) What actions have been taken in the last five years to get at least a few big names into prison for corruption and theft of public resources, besides scapegoating more “expendable” people? The only big name was Jacob Zuma and look no further than the absolute chaos of July 2021 as a result of trying to hold him accountable for his misdeeds.

3) In other words it’s just the ANC saying let’s just take from the rich (those who have much) and give to the poor (those who have little) under the guise of “sharing” (i.e. communism) – well guess who didn’t want to share his Phala Phala spare U.S pocket money $$$$? Why haven’t those rich ANC politicians and all those politically connected, shared their millions with the poor? Is there such a thing as a capitalist communist – well yes, if you are an ANC politician. They want EVERYONE to be on the same basic level, but they will still be rich and everyone else will barely have just enough, and just enough if you are lucky. This is where the NHI comes in, they just want to overtax those who do have jobs to help fund the NHI – and chase away many more nurses and doctors (and other qualified professionals) who won’t to work or receive care under a 99% probable poorly managed NHI – if they haven’t been able to manage the Govt health sector in its current form for the last 30 years, what makes you think they can manage something even more complicated?

4 & 5) What has changed in the last five years? How many more people are experiencing the fundamental necessities of a decent & dignified life? Very little, I am sure. Corruption free? (Let’s not gasp here, for that would be an absolute miracle in South Africa)

6 & 7) Violence? Admittedly looking at stats our crime index has decreased a little but it really is relative and not particularly substantial i.e. –

“In 2024, South Africa had a crime index of 75.4, which is to be considered high. However, this was one of the lowest indexes recorded in the country since 2017. Over the observed period, the value continuously fluctuated between 75 and 77. South Africa has the highest crime index in Africa and ranks as the fifth most dangerous country globally according to the same index.” – From statista.com

Nonracial? There are still far too many politicians who are race hustlers and want us to remain divided. The ANC no doubt will blame the legacy of apartheid, outside economic influences, and Covid for the poor state of our economy, but if they hadn’t had their hands in the cookie jar and their pretty much narcissistic style of leadership, for at least the last 15 years, they would have been able steer the country towards a more prosperous era, not forgetting the past but focusing on the future as well and we certainly would have been more able to face the challenges of Covid had we had a stronger economy in 2020, with well- functioning govt hospitals. Instead Covid saw an opportunity for some politicians and their business connections, as a way to increase their personal bank balances substantially

So yes, we certainly want to live in a country where every person needs to live a decent and dignified life, by simply saying the “rich” must share is very simplistic and here is my advice to politicians with ambitions, especially the likes of the ANC – If you really want to do that, start by making all your rich politicians give at least 50% of their millions to helping and investing in the poor – lead from example.

The politicians running need to look within. Those who are in charge of municipalities and SOEs need to pull their heads from their behinds, and employ capable and honest people, from top to bottom, who will run these institutions (that we as the taxpayers pay for) that will ensure South Africans receives effective service delivery.

How about fixing all the poorly run Govt run hospitals first, before embarking on a pie in the sky NHI scheme?

Improve state education and stop this nonsensical below par pass rate of 30%. Mediocre is 50% – encourage kids to be more than mediocre & aim for higher, not lower, 30% is making it too easy for kids. Not every kid is university material, there is no shame in that, and teach kids that practical jobs and working with their hands is just as good as going to varsity – provided it’s in the form of decent paying artisanal jobs. Bring back teachers’ colleges.

Encourage investment in , by making it less hard to do business in South Africa – but by doing this, businesses and tourists need to have peace of mind, and know that they are going to be working or travelling in a safe country, not the 5th most dangerous country in the world and don’t say “but other countries have crime also” – those in glass house should not throw stones and charity starts at home. Make safe and prosperous first and foremost for all of its’ citizens and stop all this egotistical & political fighting & rhetoric/propaganda and lead the country not for your large bank balances, but because you truly care for all its citizens. Once that has been achieved, and maintained, maybe then you can consider yourselves qualified on the international arena, but until then this country is not in great shape, poor shape really, despite it being a country with potential, potential that has continued to be squandered since that inaugural speech in 2019 by Ramasofa, oops President Ramaphosa.

Let us not forget load shedding/electricity cuts either – sort out Eskom our monopoly of a national electricty provider, enabling more business capacity and productivity.

Make safe and prosperous first and foremost for all of its’ citizens and stop all this egotistical & political fighting & rhetoric/propaganda and lead the country not for your large bank balances, but because you truly care for all its citizens. Once that has been achieved, and maintained, maybe then you can consider yourselves qualified on the international arena, but until then this country is not in great shape, poor shape really, despite it being a country with potential, potential that has continued to be squandered since that inaugural speech in 2019 by Ramasofa, oops President Ramaphosa.

Vote wisely & the EFF is no solution either, they simply want to nationalise every single possible institution in South Africa, from all land and property to the banks. Where has communisim worked, certainly with regard to human rights? That’s right – nowhere.