Vic’s Views
This thought came to mind after spending a lot of time deep in thought.
I was thinking about the saga between the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (Numsa) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu). The bone of contention between the two unions is the suspension of the general secretary of Cosatu, Zwelinzima Vavi. Numsa’s general secretary, Irvin Jim, has publicly criticised ANC general secretary Gwede Mantatshe and the SACP’s Blade Nzimade of taking sides in the matter.
To be precise, I don’t want to talk about the merits of the case, but will rather dwell on the fact that politics is a really dirty game.
When campaigning for the ANC in the 2009 general elections at the Mehlaring Stadium in Tembisa, the four political heavyweights were as united as newly married love-birds. They threw all their dangerous artillery at opposition parties like a well-trained UN army against the Lybian army. But now they are fighting like hungry vultures. What happened? It is alleged that Vavi is seen as opposing the government’s vision when it comes to creating jobs and protecting the rights of workers. Many believe the daggers have been out for Vavi since the day he started campaigning against the implementation of the e-tolls and alleged rampant corruption in the country. It is also believed that Vavi is seen as a thorn in the flesh of the so-called corruption masters, and a hero for those who are still living in dilapidated shacks nearly twenty years into democracy. What Vavi did with a junior employee in the comfort of the union’s offices is uncalled for, and there is a need to address such an embarrassing act, especially from a senior member like him. But does he deserve to be suspended in an allegedly unconstitutional forum? If he goes, will Outa be able to push the e-toll battle without the face behind the real war? Is there any other leader who can really take the war against corruption head on? Who started this fire among the four former close comrades who displayed a united front in Tembisa nearly five years ago? Who is going to be consumed? It does not need a rocket scientist to see that Cosatu is really divided on the issue. At the time of going to press, more than seven unions were calling for an early election conference. Is someone trying to play with fire in this matter? But be warned, its colour is bright and beautiful, but it is dangerous.
