Yesterday I received a very sombre sms from a person whose opinion I hold in high esteem. To avoid problems experienced in the past, I shall not make mention of his name. However, this is a person who has embraced business opportunities and managed to do well for himself. This is evident from the success he has enjoyed in a hotly contested Project Management business environment, as he solely owns one of the well respected Project Management companies in Gauteng with a national foot print.
The sms read, "Today is one of those days when I feel depressed. Depressed because, I have my fingers to the bone, trying to get something done...but somehow our leaders and government never come thru for us...its always their self interest above ours. The election slogan says ..."together we can do more..." The practice is Vukuzenzele...each man for himself... What a fraud! I need a new life...something I can believe in!"
At the time of receipt, I did not know what to make of the sms, so I simply replied, "I feel u".
We then later had a frank conversation where we discussed the recent happenings within our government...The weekly strike actions by Trade Unions; inappropriate appointments into Influencial Offices of Government (Bheki Cele, etc.) and the deafening silence of known intellectuals and respected Government Technocrats such as Trevor Manuel, Joel Nitshetitendze,etc.
Having joined COPE myself at the height of excitement as this organisation promised to be a viable option from the ANC which was increasingly becoming a party that embraced arrogance; corruption and many other unsavoury and undemocratic tendencies which are uncharacteristic of a People's Party, my learned elder wanted to hear my views regards the current status quo.
Those that are close to me know how I feel about COPE and its failure to grasp the opportunity that was presented to steer the ship that much like the Titanic is definitely headed for an Iceberg.
When Mosioua Lekota announced the intension of calling a convention whose aim would be to look at the possibility of a new party that would embrace multi-party democracy. Lekota attributed the cause of the break-away and the need for a convention as the fact that the ANC had forgotten the values, vision and ideals of the liberation struggle.
Opposition parties came out in support of the national convention, praising the initiative as historical and a significant step towards changing the political climate of the country.
Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said the convention would be looked back on and considered a turning point, saying that the convention had the potential to change the political landscape.
Inkatha Freedom Party stalwart Lionel Mtshali said he attended the convention on behalf of the party to show support for those who felt that the Constitution was fundamental."Those in power serve the Constitution and not themselves. Our Constitution has been betrayed and in many respects obliterated.
