OUR VIEW: There is not a single political party at the moment that is not facing difficulties
The ball has been set into motion, with the election dates set by the Independent Electoral Commission for May in 2019.
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The political stage has already heated up on all sides, with each political party setting their agendas very clearly: to cripple each other. What is interesting is that all parties are promising heaven on earth, which is rather impossible to achieve, seeing that the people on the ground have become so wary of political promises, whether they come from the ruling party or they come from the various opposition parties.
We need to be realistic and practical if people’s miseries of joblessness, poverty and a lack of economic opportunities are to be adequately addressed, and conscientiously aimed at changing people’s lives.
We need to seriously look at the current economic climate and check if the ideologies of the past decade are still practical, or are a mere fallacy meant to continue benefitting the haves over the have-nots in society. There is clearly no equilibrium in people’s livelihoods, for the richer are becoming richer and the poor are getting poorer.
The current economic climate makes things difficult for everybody, both rich and poor. We need lasting solutions to the problems facing the country. We don’t need publicity-seeking individuals or parties.
There is not a single political party at the moment that is not facing difficulties. The ANC face the State Capture Commission. There is also the VBS scandal, where both the EFF and ANC members are implicated. The DA, on the other hand, has been embroiled in its tussle with recently resigned Cape Town mayor, Patricia de Lille, who has labelled them a racist party.
In all these fracases, where does it leave the people on the ground? Are they led by saints or devils?
There is also rampant tribalism and regionalism from the local folk, who were staging protests at the University of Mpumalanga calling for the resignation of the vice-chancellor whom they refer to as not originating from the province. They also demanded to be given service provisions at the institutions instead of outsiders.
Doesn’t this country belong to all who live in it, black and white? Are people not free to reside in any place, as long as it is within the borders?
Let peace and sanity prevail upon the land.