Jabu Rakwena AZAPO national spokesperson
By Jabu Rakwena
AZAPO national Spokesperson
Spin doctors are on overdrive trying to tone down the impact of what transpired at FNB Dome in Soweto yesterday.
The implications of what both Ramaphosa and Mantashe said are beginning to sink and they wish the session was closed and not open to the public.
It is clear that they were both not reading from a prepared paper but speaking from the cuff.
One such spin is to draw from what Oliver Tambo said way back, cautioning against complacency and undermining ones opponent.
I am reminded of the popular song that the cadres of OR would sing with lyrics that go: “Oliver Tambo bamb’ isandla sam’ ungasiyeki, bamb’ isandla sami”.
Whenever I hear the song I would retort and say: “OR has no business holding your hands for they are too filthy”.
The spin doctor Mbalula is desperately trying to hold on to the hand of OR as the party navigates this storm.
Mantashe even called upon the chaplain general to pray for the councilors who are supposedly afflicted by many sins.
But then what was the purpose of the FNB jamboree? What was the point of the Roll Call?
Why call all your 4800 councilors all over the country under one roof, to do what exactly?
Why a roll call? Do you suspect ghost councilors who draw a salary whilst on the world beyond?
Given the mammoth challenges in the municipalities what do you expect to achieve with this mass meeting that lasted for half a day?
Was there any interaction or was it acase of a school principal summoning wayward learners to the office for admonition?
One thing Mantashe was spot on about is the lack of capacity within the municipalities.
Can you blame the councilors for that? It is the electoral system of the ANC that saddled us with those councilors.
Many communities complained and others even boycotted the polls accusing the ANC of imposing candidate councilors without consulting communities.
ANC pushed on and refused to select those chosen or suggested by communities.
Some even went against the ANC and won as independent candidates.
AZAPO identified the challenge of lack of capacity in municipalities and as early as in 1999 national elections suggested that we do away with the provincial leg of government and the legislatures.
The wealth of capIity found in that component could be better utilized at local government level where the need and demand for service is much more in demand.
The other benefit is the funds to the tune of about R295 billion that could be saved and directed to better use.
But then we are faced with an administration that is obstinate, our of touch and convinced it posses the monopoly to wisdom and understanding of governance.
It came as a pleasant surprise that Ramaphosa, all of a sudden, is now willing to learn from the opponents.
But then what a poor choice of a possible tutor when so many willing and humble tutors have been knocking and offering advices.
Tutors that have the love and best interests of the Black majority and those on the margins of society.
ANC can redeem itself by swallowing its pride and seek help from those that can truly help without taking the credit and are concerned about the downward slope this country is taking.