The Congress of the People met in Kliptown, Soweto, Johannesburg on June 26 1955 to lay out the vision of the South African people. It was drafted by the Congress Alliance, consisting of the African National Congress, the South African Indian Congress, the Coloured People's Congress and the Congress of Democrats. The Freedom Charter was a result of this, and it became the manifesto of the African National Congress.
There is something to be said for the experience of our elders and the respect that they rightly deserve, having been through many hardships on their way to victory. Through patience and suffering, many of our leaders and anti-apartheid activists have gone before us, some giving their own lives, so see us freed from oppression and discrimination.
Several of these names include: Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo, Helen Suzman, Trevor Manual, Sol Plaatje, Steve Biko, Chris Hani, Ruth Hayman, Tokyo Sexwale, Beyers Naude and Desmond Tutu (to name a few).
The once proud African National Congress was founded on the principles of equality, peace and freedom for all South Africans. The once proud ANC had values and leaders who were respected and honoured.
The 2010 version of the ANC, however, is not the party of old. They are a rudder-less, strategy-less and leader-less shell of the organisation they used to be, kept alive only through the emotional attachment that their once proud legacy still seems to have, in the minds of the people. What was once the party of the people, representing freedom for all, is now the party of the elite and the corrupt, representing "tax payer wealth" for a few.
Where did it all go wrong? Those who have gone before us, who led the way, who gave their lives, what would they say now if they could see the current state of the ANC? Is this what they fought for? Is this what they died for? A deceitful president, who no longer qualifies for the office that he holds, who surrounds himself with militant young voices that spew racism and hatred in their attempt to divide our nation. Is this what the ANC has become? An organisation which no longer aligns itself with its founding values and principles, and takes no legal action against its senior members who steal tax payers' money for their own personal gain. Is this what the ANC has become?
It seems an endless pit of lies and broken promises. I felt shame and pity when watching the protests of the police reservists who were promised (like all the other promises) incorporation into the national police force. These men and women have families to feed, they were promised a better life, but again, we see failure by the new ANC to keep their promises and to provide that illusive "better life for all".
I'm not sure where it all went wrong, but this one thing I know, South Africa cannot succeed as a nation if the current "leaders" do not stand up and say "no more", to greed, corruption, crime and racism. Those members of the ANC who represent values other than the party's founding values, should be disciplined and silenced.
Until then, we will speak out against the rot that has infected our government, and hope and pray for a strong leader of true character with a heart for the people, to rise up and unite us again as a nation. A nation where all South Africans of all race groups and cultures are welcome, and where all are encouraged to work and live in unity and peace together.
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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.