Cape Town - The upcoming elections, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jacob Zuma and the Dalai Lama dominated discussion on MyNews24 this week. Read the weekly round-up here.

I am never exactly sure of what the government is saying of or mean to say anymore. Last week the Dalai Lama was refused entry into the country on the basis that sport should not be politicised. Let us assume that this is a valid argument. Now can anybody tell me in what capacity was Jacob Zuma allowed into the stadium for a match between Bafana and Norway? The last time I checked our state president is Kgalema Mothlanthe and our deputy president is Baleka Mbethe. None of them were there and even the president of SAFA was relegated to the stands to allow the ANC president a platform to shake the players' hands and present the trophy. If FIFA were wondering why the stadium was not full, I think it's because it was not the national team playing but the ANC election campaign team. I will only go to the stadium when my reverend Hawu Mbatha my party leader is also given the platform to campaign. Otherwise let the ANC fill all the Stadia for the world cup. It just shows that this world cup is not for all of us but for the ANC members. - Samson Nkutha

The post-Polokwane results are very damaging to our country's image. The image that took Luthuli, Mandela, Sobukwe, Biko etc many years to build. We are living in our country as if we are watching a scary movie. Embarrassing incidents occur one after another; the recall of President Mbeki, the disbanding of Scorpions, the undermining of justice system, the release of Shaik from prison, Malema's outburst, the refusal of visa to Dalai Lama. Please tell me what's next or should I say what will be the post-election outcomes? - Robert

Can anyone please explain to me what sanctions are in effect against the nation of Zimbabwe? As far as I am aware the sanctions that are in effect are against the corrupt politicians who have plundered the wealth of the country and are presently prostituting it's resources to the highest bidder or new colonisers of Africa. As far as I am aware Zimbabwe's borders are all still open, with all of its neighbours facilitating exports and imports to the country. Is it really the Western World's fault (or ours for that matter) that the Zanu-PF government have ruined the economy of the country and simply do not have the money to buy anything that they need or in fact to manufacture anything to export! Or does "sanctions" really mean no more money being poured into a bottomless "begging bowl" to be wastefully used or squandered by a corrupt government (who has no real interest in the welfare or its people). - Ndizvozvo

I was only 12 years old when the country went to vote at the 1994 elections and to be honest, during apartheid I couldn't even have told you what the word meant. Since then I've been educated on what it actually meant and now clearly understand just how wrong it was. Now that I'm old enough to understand how things work, I have to ask why the majority of South Africans are not willing to condemn this current government? I have the utmost respect for Bishop Tutu for having the courage to speak up against a government that he fought so hard for to bring into power. I won't deny that the ANC was instrumental in liberating this country, but what have we allowed them to become since then? I would like to ask this of everyone who claims to be proud of what was achieved in the struggle: how can you be proud of a government that refuses to condemn human rights violations in Zimbabwe and Tibet? How can you be proud of a government that sweeps corruption under the carpet? It was easy to support the struggle when it affected the majority of South Africans, but now that the power lies with majority, how many people have the courage to admit that things are wrong and need to change? Chris G

So much has been said of late, in the press, by ConCourt judges, by politicians and celebrities, by the man in the street, about the various and epic failings of the ruling ANC. From corruption to service delivery, crime to visas, the ANC seems to be making the news for all the wrong reasons at the moment. We all decry the death of democracy in SA as our government continues to barge ahead with policies and practices that beg belief amongst those still willing and able to question it. But perhaps all of the "bad press" the government's copping at the moment is a sign that our democracy, though comatose, still has a strong heartbeat - our freedom of speech is (for now), alive and well. So isn't it interesting then to watch the dogs of war turn on Archbishop Tutu for daring to exercise his freedom? Cosatu and the ANC, who relied so heavily on the power of Tutu's influence during the apartheid years, now turn their backs on him and cast him out into the cold, for having dared to voice what so many already think - that JZ is NOT the chosen one. Bless him, for all he stood for then, and all he stands for now. There is good reason why the Archbishop was called the "Conscience of Africa". He still is and one can only hope that the arrogance of our current government can be set aside just long enough to see that even those that once fought its battles, now reject the course it has chosen. South Africa deserves better and we need more like Archbishop Tutu to stand up and be heard. -

Mike

Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.

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