President Cyril Ramaphosa remains cool as a cucumber in the face of all the difficulties facing South Africa, including the appalling performance of Eskom and Transnet, as well as an economy that is staring into a dark, bottomless pit. He is confident that the African National Congress has all the necessary resources to win the upcoming national elections. Perhaps he is correct. A few food hampers, some tacky t-shirts, and duffel bags stuffed with billions of rands will surely secure the vote.

By Themba Khumalo

The president is as happy as a clam about the ANC’s shot at winning the upcoming general elections, even though the country is up against the wall with economic challenges, like the sky-high cost of living and an electricity supply that is about as reliable as a chocolate teapot. On top of that, there is a colossal heap of violent crime and a real hot potato called Transnet that is causing a lot of trouble.

Ramaphosa’s winning recipe is like a simmering pot of flavours, where he skilfully weaves a tangled tapestry of words to paint a rosy picture of the improved lives of South Africans over the past 29 years of ANC governance. He, like his comrades, crafts a tale as captivating as a mesmerising sunset, where the census of 2022 acts as a shining star, illuminating the path towards progress.

The nature of statistics is like a chameleon, able to change and adapt like a skilled contortionist, transforming to fit and fortify a particular storyline, just as a master sculptor manipulates clay to create a breathtaking masterpiece.

Time and again we are always told that numbers are as honest as a saint. We are informed that they are as reliable as a lighthouse, illuminating the path for lost ships navigating perilous waters. However, when they are manipulated, their integrity turns as fragile as a dainty glass sculpture, as easily compromised as a feather in the wind.

A big chunk of the South African population is going through a terribly rough patch, feeling as lost as a needle in a haystack. They have no faith in the government, legislative bodies, judiciary, or democratic processes. It is like they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. This discontent has reached a boiling point, teetering on the edge of a make-or-break moment.

In a truly unforgettable moment at the South African National Civic Organisation conference, Ramaphosa treated the audience to a masterclass in the art of speaking gibberish. With a straight face, he passionately expressed his desire to witness an army of boots on the ground, tirelessly toiling away for the ultimate triumph.

It was a linguistic rollercoaster that left me wondering if I had accidentally stumbled into a parallel universe where words no longer held any meaning.

He went on and on about how they absolutely need to have boots on the ground, schmoozing on about “telling our good story “, even in those households that might not be too keen on the ANC. A mischievous voice in his head commanded him to tell the delegates that they must barge in and enlighten these households about what the ANC represents, its ‘impressive track record’, its ongoing endeavours, and its ‘grand plans’ for the future.

Feast your eyes, or even your ears, on the elusive creature known as the politician, master of the art of avoiding uncomfortable truths like a squirrel dodging traffic. It is as if they have a sixth sense for detecting any topic that might make them squirm in their fancy suits. Oh, how they dance around the truth, tiptoeing on the delicate petals of denial. It is a talent, really. A talent for selective hearing and expertly crafted speeches that say absolutely nothing.

They give you a murderous look when you point out that there is a clear divide between the wealthy and the poor in South African society. In addition to having the ability to vote, the wealthy and powerful can also exert influence over politicians and entire political parties through their financial power. Therefore, it is logical that they have a vested interest in maintaining the current state of affairs. 

The marginalised population is cruelly pushed to the fringes of society, without any benefits to be gained from the deceptive freedoms and the disorderly coalition politics. The masses can only bring about significant change from below by using their collective strength.

Several exposés have offered us a comprehensive and invaluable insight into the profound extent and magnitude of the difficulties that regular South Africans encounter in their quest for genuine liberation.

The steady stream of revelations about pervasive corruption has shed light on the clandestine and immoral operations that heavily impact public policy. These bombshells have laid bare how politicians and folks in both the public and private sectors have made a killing from pilfering state assets, selling the country’s mineral reserves under the table, and making a mess of state-owned enterprises.

The rampant looting and devastation of our country persist with the open complicity of government officials, lawmakers, private enterprises, foreign accounting and auditing firms, prominent domestic and international financial institutions, multinational companies, and foreign governments. Our country has sustained significant harm and continues to endure it, as it has been betrayed and compromised for monetary gain, akin to the infamous biblical character Judas Iscariot, who is said to have accepted a paltry sum of thirty pieces of silver.

Furthermore, it has come to light that the matter at hand is not simply about one government, political party, or small group, but rather a global web of well-to-do individuals who shamelessly partake in deceitful deeds against the common folk. They pull strings in the justice system, monkey around with currency, and thumb their noses at the law to feather their own nests.

After 29 years of democratic governance, we must acknowledge the enduring legacy of our forebears and the valour of our fallen heroes. It is incumbent upon us to heed their call for the pursuit of justice. The forthcoming elections present an opportunity to reignite the essence of liberty and to reinstate the genuine significance of life, hope, and dignity in the lives of all citizens of South Africa. By doing so, we can guarantee that our ancestors and all those who have made sacrifices for our nation can finally attain peace.

The devilish pact between the ANC’s three-headed monster and the moneyed elite has sent countless regular South Africans into a world of agony and torment like never before. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place, caught in a never-ending cycle that has evolved and changed throughout the years.

Marginalised South Africans are constantly walking on thin ice, relying on others and barely scraping by to survive. This was the name of the game during the era of slavery, colonialism, and apartheid, and it is still going strong today, even though we claim to be a land of liberty.

The socioeconomic and political system in South Africa is characterized by significant corruption and inefficiency. The government appears to be entrenched in a pattern of perpetuating the same ineffective policies and practices as its predecessors.

Overall, there is a notable absence of ethical leadership, with a focus on personal financial gain at the expense of human welfare. This situation has led to widespread societal disarray, which is not accidental but rather a deliberate strategy to create division among the population. Politicians actively promote discord and conflict to further their own interests, using these tactics as a means to secure electoral support.

Be that as it may, we will wrap our heads around the convoluted and mind-boggling nonsense that has already started flooding our country’s already tortured landscape and vote, even if the credible choices are few and far between or maybe even as rare as hen teeth.