It wasn’t long ago when South Africa’s political virgin, former activist, academic and now newlywed Mamphele Ramphele held the country at halt when she surprisingly gave birth to a political baby, AGANG. Although many were not sure of what to make of this sudden addition to our already chaotic political family, this babe-in-arms somehow proved to be of difference and erected much excitement to many citizens after Ramphele publicly announced that she will be contesting the upcoming 2014 elections. Professionals, Academics, Business Executives and Born Frees saw this as a salvation plan to their toil of indecisive political thoughts. Like any fine-looking virgin, AGANG immediately became a new target with old bulls (COPE and ANC) drooling behind her for a moment away - but rumours of her getting married to any old party were shuttered by her famous words, “I am NOT a joiner but a change agent…”
Does this mean she knew along where her loyalties were but
wanted to drag many with to her union of unholy matrimony? Is this what she
meant when she said "The name of Agang SA party will be confirmed,
modified or changed through the consultation process."? It seems like Ramphele was the modern version
of a walking messiah who spoke in conundrums and expected to be understood in
whatever she said or referred to. The question of her naivety echoes even more
after this sudden revelation. Where does this leave the abandoned new-born
then?
The Democratic Alliance on the other side has a kept record
of swallowing party structures, slip them in like a serpent, phase them out and
clear their identity completely. First it was the Independent Democrats (ID)
who in August 2010, neglected their political identity and moved in with Madam
Hellen in the mighty DA mansion.
Following that were other political personas who found the
idea of joining the DA ranks much appealing for reasons known to them only.
Nosimo Balindlela who was also labelled a “political vulture”, in 2013, vacated
her COPE office for benefits of comfort within the DA. Today, we witness the
Ramphele+DA marriage. What could the DA be promising these prominent leaders
for them to easily forsake all they stood for to be disciples of Sheperd Hellen?
It is no doubt that Hellen is morethan just rosey chicks and abysmal dance
moves; she has proven to be quite a charmer to these black mistresses .
This however can be viewed as a strategic acquisition for
the DA to bolster its black support . Lindiwe Mazibuko, Nosimo Bhalindlela and
Mamphele Ramphele are proof that the DA is desperate to swallow the black
masses before elections and in the process remain being the strongest opposition if not the
ruling party post 2014 elections. The
question of the possibility of such transformation remain dubious as the DA is
currently running at a loose of supporters with in the Western Cape following
the service delivery protests in 2013.
Like before, we remain in question of whether this marriage
of convenience will survive. They say there can only be one bull in a kraal and
evidently Ramphele is no submission lady or so we think.
Insights however continue to differ amongst citizens. To
many the ANC reminds them of how Jacob Zuma built his luxury harem in iNkandla,
with its swimming pool, helipad, electric fence for his herd of cattle and that
bunker for him to hide with millions of taxpayer’s money, in the aftermath of
his myriad failures in leadership. As much as they love the party, the idea of
Zuma being a part of its leadership defeats their interest.
To some though, this is possibly a game changer. Another
view could be- Within this alliance/ platform/ acquisition, lie all the right
credentials that can actually appeal to a wide margin of people. It has a nice
alignment, because they seem to all have goal congruence and as such have more
in common than the people sitting within the ANC, which is believed to be a
"broad church", which constantly devours itself from conference to
conference because each grouping has a different agenda.
Furthermore, it’s quite possibly the first time we can say
that a party is a "rainbow party". As you know the colours of the
rainbow actually complement one another (as this grouping seems to do), and do
not seek to overpower one over the other, or even repel. Another question
though is whether the "Federal Alliance" within the DA
supports this with their wallets?
Amidst all the unanswered questions and confusion, personally
I still believe that the time has come for all those with influence - in
Education, Sport, Film & Radio, Business & Industry to come out -
selflessly and very vocally - and stand firmly behind any party that embraces
an idea of a new South Africa. This country desperately needs clear, decisive,
intelligent, selfless leadership to ensure that the South Africa Mandela fought
so hard for realises its potential and its people are given economic equality
where each and every person can aspire to and acquire an education, the
opportunity to work in a safe environment and to leave the world a better place
for their children. All this is possible but it needs a mind-set change at the
Ballot Box come elections. Each and every South African needs to think about
what is best for the country and who will deliver it. The ANC government who
has now been in power for 20 years OR a party brought together with the mind-set
of changing the failures of this government, realising and delivering the
opportunities that are tangible and within the reach of each and every ordinary
South African.
Indeed this is a game changer, this turns the voting table
into another direction of new possibilities and whatever the outcome is, as citizens
we are the ultimate decision makers. We are the ones who put them in power; we
are also the ones who remove them when they no longer serve us.
There is little that we can conclude on as we are still
fumbling in election guesswork and nothing much. But as we move towards the
great event, I would encourage every citizen to start engaging in matters affecting
the future of our country. In taxes, buses, hospitals, schools, let’s create a
national dialogue that will challenge convictions of those who are or to assume
power. This is just the beginning of much ahead.
I hope you are ready!
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