Mention the word ANC to any South African; you are more likely to end up having a long debate about corruption and the fact that we need to have a new political party to rescue us. Before 1994, many South Africans had hope that the ANC will change their lives for the better; but that hope is soon vanishing into thin air. The question that I always ask is “Is it because of the ANC that our government is corrupt or is it because of the fact that power makes people corrupt?”
To me, it’s not the ANC banner and logo that is corrupt; the “people” within the organisation itself. The ANC does not have a school of “corruption’’ where people go and learn how to be corrupt officials. Zuma does not call people in their respective offices and tell them to conduct themselves as if they are wolves and money is meant to be eaten like meat. It makes me wonder how true the Marxist theory is; is it in really in human nature to be self-interested, that when one gets power he will want to enrich himself at the cost of the poor?
This worries me because it means each and every political party that’s gets power by means of winning the elections will be corrupt. Is there hope for us South Africans? Many would say yes there is; the DA has repeatedly shown that it is the better option. One would also mention the smooth delivery of services in DA led municipalities and the Western Cape. Others will also point to the fact that no corruption has ever been reported on the DA. Without a doubt the DA has given people hope; But, lets ask ourselves is there a room for them to fail? Is there a room for them to be corrupt? The DA has to win people’s trust; they don’t have power like the ANC. If they are corrupt like the ANC they won’t win any elections. Again, to them too it’s not the DA banner and logo that is running the party in the most efficient political party; it’s the people within the political party itself. Now what makes these people different from those working for the ANC? Aren’t they all self-interested people who want power like the ANC has to exploit us?
Considering the fact that all over the world political parties are seen as a group of “people” who abuse their powerful positions to extort bribes, to channel state resources into the hands of party leaders or supporters and to supply members and followers with lucrative positions in the public sector, can we really say without a doubt that the DA will remain the saint that it is even when they are in power?
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