Sometimes I read things on the internet and
have a good laugh over the crazy you find. Unfortunately when I realize that
the crazy is ‘legit’ I often end up just staring in disbelief at the screen and
asking empty air [or the occasional passer-by], ‘How the hell?”
As elections draw closer this seems to be
happening more often, so much so that my time set for reading the news has
diminished drastically. It’s like watching a movie from five years ago and it’s
not even a good one.
It’s that predictable storyline you could basically know
the outcome of. Sure you strongly hope for a different outcome and you watch
and wait – maybe this time it’s different. Except as the time ticks away and
the same scene rolls by the exact same moments are acted out like clockwork and
no matter what you do, you can’t stop watching.
I’ll admit though, 2014’s version of events
does have some interesting twists and turns, but sadly corruption remains the
constant supporting actor.
The New Year was still shaking off its hangover
when our dear president stood amongst the people of Mbombela and was reported
to declare ‘that the ANC would rule forever’. I imagine he was handing out some
food parcels at the time of that door-to-door campaign in that township in
Mpumalanga. Then of course it was reported he didn’t stop there. Well why would
he? He was on a preaching roll!
But it is understandable considering a few
days before that there was media chatter floating around of whether or not the
ANC could afford to lose him.
My question is, should that really be the
only thing worrying for them?
In fairness there are quite a few potholes
of issues that could screw them over, but theirs is one that just stands out
when you listen to how some of their speeches are tailored. We all knew it was
going to happen, so it shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but the ANC pulled the
‘Do it for Mandela’ card. It was probably the last card they really had before
going underground dodge, still makes it the lowest level of tact and form of
respect I feel the great legend doesn’t deserve. But that’s just me.
But it’s not the man of history I want to
focus on. Instead I want to go to those he has left behind.
The Mandela’s have not exactly lived up to
the legacy of their predecessor. In fact it would seem almost as if they want
to destroy it. Scandals, In-fighting, Grave robbing, Criminal charges… the list
goes on and yet the ANC still want to use the name that the majority of the
‘free-born’ children of today know by the faces of the offspring and not by the
father?
What message is that? It’s okay to avoid
jail and multiple trial prosecutions, if you’re a person of influence?
Mandla Mandela did after all say, ‘It’s all
about the money’.
Oh but the cherry on top, dripping with
chocolate – Nkandla and its ever elusive document.
First it was, ‘sometime’ at the end of 2013
and then it was push back and then it was ‘most likely’ in January of 2014.
Slowly the days go by and the distractions of how electioneering goes on and in
sometimes ‘goes wrong’ but really just as planned and eventually it’s announced
that some officials wanted to have a looksy at the report for some or other
reason and once again: the report ‘will’ [apparently] be released on the 9
February 2004, which I later discovered happened to coincide with the day the
date of elections would be announced.
Things get delayed all the time, the truth
however rarely does so forgive me for my slight suspicions of this report
that’s to be released to the public. Though it would seem the ANC has chosen to
deal with this more seriously than I plan to, for obvious reasons.
Aside from finding the delay of the report
very ‘concerning’, they have been reported saying many things on how corruption
must be dealt with and removed, even if it’s one of their own.
Now doesn’t that sound a bit different to
previous tones, ANC rules forever? No..?
Or maybe they do, just without certain
individuals at the helm?
But then again, this is all just
pre-election talk. So very similar to all those
guys whispering sweet nothings to innocent girls, only to leave them in the
morning all cold with empty promises… until of course the next time.
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