Girding the loins for the hell ride

THE next five years will go down as one of the most critical times in our country’s rich political history.

We have entered a new era of coalition politics, where handshakes determine who wields power and who pulls the purse strings.

Old political rivalries have, out of necessity, been set aside and new friendships cultivated.

Deals have been struck and promises made as opposition parties sought to pull off the ultimate coup d’etat to dethrone the previous power brokers.

For the first time since 1994 there has been a significant shift in allegiances as the ruling elite failed to heed the warning signs issued by an increasingly frustrated electorate.

It came in many forms, but mainly through protest after protest, anger, smoke and fire.

Those who keep a keen ear on the ground and an even keener eye on the headlines realised long before the electorate stepped into into the voting booths earlier this month that a major swing vote was on the cards.

No longer would past loyalties hold firm against the spate of scandals, arrogance, corruption and lack of service delivery.

The people have spoken. No longer will they tolerate empty promises and be treated with disdain by leaders who prioritise political gamesmanship and self-interest.

The party is over.
So too will the celebrations of the so-called new kids on the block be short-lived. There is work to be done.

The challenge of meeting the tough public demands – with the same limited resources – remains the same.

Governing by coalition of strange bedfellows is at best a precarious affair which can quickly derail the best laid plans as simmering animosities forever lurk beneath the surface.

The message is very clear.

The ‘old’ guard who survived the culling will have to move out of their comfort zones very smartly and the coalition partners will have to tough it out despite their differences to achieve the goals for the common good – sound, corruption-free municipal governance, economic progress to enhance job creation and the delivery of simple basic services such as electricity and water supply, crime prevention and safe schools and roads, among others.

It may sound all very straightforward, but it is going to be a hell ride since the populace’s mood has become unforgiving.