South Africa Needs Government Of The People, By The People, For The People!

Written by: Errol Naidoo
Article source: familypolicyinstitute.com

Most countries around the world have shifted focus to safely opening their economies. South Africa enters week 8 of the level 4 national lockdown (lowering to level 3 on 31 May). Infections have climbed to 17,200 (19 May) but the overwhelming majority of people are recovering without complications. South Africa’s Covid-19 death rate – although tragic – is thankfully, relatively low at 312.

Frustrations with the lockdown regulations are growing daily. Medical experts (among many others) have expressed dismay at some of the “nonsensical” measures implemented by the “Command Council” that appear to play no rational role in limiting or preventing the spread of Covid-19 infections.

Legal challenges against government are mounting. The “Command Council’s” lack of Parliamentary oversight is being questioned as well as justification for the military curfew. The North Gauteng High Court ruled in favour of the family of Collins Khosa, killed by members of the SANDF in April 2020. Judge Hans Fabricius instructed government to widely share a code of conduct on lockdown regulations including its reasonable and humane enforcement.

Alarmingly, Judge Fabricius said Defence Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Police Minister, Bheki Cele had not clearly condemned abuse by security forces.

The ANC led government often touts itself a champion of human rights. But it’s management and oversight of the coronavirus crisis has come under increased scrutiny. Most citizens are frustrated with unnecessary and irrational regulations, including the frequently changing and contradictory guidelines.

The nation initially got behind President Cyril Ramaphosa when he announced the rationale behind the country-wide lockdown. However, much of that goodwill has waned as hundreds of businesses fold and thousands more citizens lose jobs. 

Prior to the global Covid-19 crisis, South Africa’s economy was decimated by rampant ANC corruption. Rating agencies downgraded SA’s economy to junk as a result of endemic corruption, erratic fiscal policies and inaction. Most State Owned Enterprises were run into the ground by unrestrained looting, fraud, money laundering and gross maladministration.

Incredibly, despite the shocking evidence that emerged during the State Capture Inquiry, not a single government official implicated in corruption has been prosecuted. An entire bank was looted within four years, impoverishing scores of people. The victims of the VBS Mutual Bank scandal are still waiting for justice.

Government lost the trust of its citizens during the past decade of misrule. But judging by recent events, it is not going out of it’s way to win back that trust. 

President Ramaphosa usually addresses the nation with empathy, even apologising for government mistakes. But the tone of his minister’s updates are often jarring. Cabinet minister’s appear to bark instructions – sometimes scolding citizens like naughty children. This arrogance and blatant abuse of power has riled many hard-working and law-abiding South African’s.

Most people are doing their best to cope with this unprecedented crisis. Many have never experienced such long periods of confinement, including the dire loss of income and the uncertainty it brings. In contrast, government officials continue to receive their substantial salaries and benefits – paid for by the over-burdened tax payers they reprimand in their weekly briefings.

It appears government has learned nothing from the disastrous misrule of the past ten years. ANC officials often lectured citizens on the nuances of governance while the Zuma administration enabled the looting of the country’s resources and destroyed democratic institutions (under the protection of the ruling party).

The ANC has never really come to grips with the fact it was elected to serve the will of the people. This government has become increasingly dictatorial in the erroneous belief it alone know what’s best for the nation – therefore frequently enacting public policy against the will of the majority.

Government of the people, by the people and for the people appears to be an outdated concept to the ANC led government. And this may explain the country’s deepening political, economic and social malaise. The Ramaphosa administration dare not forget – the ANC’s past intransigence cost the nation dearly.

The SA government must spend more time consulting and listening to its people – all its people – regardless of race, ethnicity, social status or political affiliation.

Most citizens love this country deeply and want to see it prosper. But the reality is we won’t make it as Blacks, Whites, Coloureds or Indians. We will, however, succeed as South Africans. If you doubt this, just ask the Springboks.

Click here to KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE weekly newsletter.

Date published: 19/05/2020

DISCLAIMER
JOY! News is a Christian news portal that shares pre-published articles by writers around the world. Each article is sourced and linked to the origin, and each article is credited with the author’s name. Although we do publish many articles that have been written in-house by JOY! journalists, we do not exclusively create our own content. Any views or opinions presented on this website are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company.