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ANC no 'exclusive authority'

by
2008-12-04 12:01

Dear Editor,

I infuriated but not surprised by the ANC's defiant and uncooperative conduct by withdrawing from the debate.

It is for this reason that there is much discontent among many in South Africa with the party. The party should understand one thing, South Africa is a democracy, as such the ANC cannot continue with the false impression that it has the exclusive authority to set the tone and topic of the debates around issues that affect every strata of South African society.

The Constitution, as the cornerstone of our democracy, is the supreme law of the land and other laws obtain their efficacy from it. Should the government or society stray from the fundamental principles that are espoused in the Constitution, such as the rule of law or the principle of legality, the country will begin on a swift journey to ultimate and inevitable perdition.

I am astounded as to why the ruling party would not want to participate in a debate that would serve the attempt of preserving a document that has been heralded as one of South Africa's greatest post-apartheid achievements. Could it be that the drafters of the document as well as the document itself envisaged a society based on accountability and openness?

Or perhaps the party refuses to concede to a provision in the document that states that persons that are unfit for the office of presidency can simply not be president? But why am I even bothered at understanding the ideologies of a party that is composed of fraudsters, thugs, bullies and blatant liars.

A close friend of mine always says that her mom taught her to never argue with a fool. I think that statement is apt for such a situation. My only weapon, I guess, is my vote.

Precious Khumalo

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Francois 12/4/2008 12:07:13 PM
AMEN TO THAT! Well written article. I was dumbstruck when they pulled out. WHAT A BUNCH OF RETARDS! Lets face ANC lovers. the anc IS an apartheid goverment in black skin!
Francois 12/4/2008 12:08:15 PM
AMEN TO THAT! Well written article. I was dumbstruck when they pulled out. WHAT A BUNCH OF RETARDS! Lets face ANC lovers. the anc IS an apartheid goverment in black skin
nthatuwa 12/4/2008 12:36:49 PM
Why should we be amazed at all this?The ANC has become shady.You my friends should just read between the lines.Cast ANC aside & check out paries that are offering us change.And VOTE
psycobabble 12/4/2008 12:42:23 PM
If they get somebody like acid-spitting Jesse Duarte to be their spokeperson it just shows how bitter these people are.This is the ugly face of our country.
Ginger 12/4/2008 12:57:37 PM
All political parties else where in the world indulge in public debate. It is the opportunity to share your ideals with the public. The only reason I can think that the ANC would not want a public debate is because maybe they feel Jacob Zuma is not up to it - in which case send in somebody capable from the party. A public debate is an opportunity for all and not to be missed.
D04get2voteANC 12/4/2008 1:08:45 PM
So u guys are busy trying to destroy the majority party ?ANC?. While we are busy campaigning and working on our manifesto. This is so sad, shame. We have nothing against the minority, but we need to take care of the majority ?the poor?. So say whatever u want to say people there is nothing we can help you with, our people needs us more than you. ViVa! Mokgatlo VIVA
VG 12/4/2008 1:18:59 PM
Why are you "infuriated"? It's their right to choose not to participate. As I understand it, the debate was about the constitution being "under threat". From the ANC's point of view, participating in this debate wold have amounted to tacit acceptance that the constitution is under threat - clearly not something they believe.So what would they have added to the debate?
Morgoth 12/4/2008 1:35:07 PM
The only difference between intelligence and stupidity is that intellegence has its limits. A debate on the constitution is critical to the development of set constitution. As we grow as a democratic country we will need to ammend, change or enforce certian aspects of the constitution. A debate will give every party the platform to spell out its intentions and vision to how they will guide this process of furthering the constitution. No surprise in this move, Communists dictate, not debate.
TedHaller 12/4/2008 1:37:05 PM
The attitude of the ANC is one of extreme arrogance and the utter disdain shown toward the electorate is shameful. The country has burned enough. To hell with the ANC, it is now time for unity, healing, forgiveness, and prosperity.
Spongebob 12/4/2008 1:42:19 PM
The time has come for S.africans to stand up, if you not happy with the current leadership lets vote them out. I don't know what future holds but i know @ present we not happy and we need to see change in our govt. (Please don't vote colour,vote for principles)Let's vote!
TJ 12/4/2008 1:43:55 PM
Plain and simple .... they dont know how to debate, and they are afraid to lose! I can guarantee that Pro ANC people are going to defend themselves by saying they dont have to prove their worth!
D04get2voteANC 12/4/2008 1:45:13 PM
Fear an ignorant man or woman more than a lion.
Les-Maada 12/4/2008 1:47:54 PM
& not anger instead,valid points would've been made!!Anyway my dear,the ANC did not just cowardly withdraw from any certain debate as most commentators usually put it, instead it felt that the contents of its challengers set up was not worth debating about as it contained personal(vendettas) & some hopelessly stale issues that will render nothing but unproductive effects!Let e'm bring anything worth debating then the ANC will fully oblige, i dare you!!
Les-Maada 12/4/2008 2:02:55 PM
about Apartheid,you see Pal, calling the ANC many names is one thing but comparing it with Apartheid is a real insult to the Black Ppl in General!!You must pray to ya ancestors to make you shut ya mouth until you know what you're talking about!!It seems like most White commentors in this forums never lacks that passion for stupidity & you're the perfect eg!
chillepeppa 12/4/2008 2:50:45 PM
Well then why don't they show up anyway. Then they have the perfect oppertunity to dispute ALL allegations and issues that the opposition in the debate might have about whatever they need to debate. It would have been a great oppertunity to gain more votes, wouldn't you say?
Francois 12/4/2008 2:52:49 PM
LOL is that the best you can do? 1. I AM a south african citizen and YOU and yours will not stop me from having my say so less maada kiss me where I poop? Freedom of speech exists buddy. I do believe that they (ANC) are pathectic and just as bad as the previous freaks and there is NOTHING you OR they can do to change my mind. 2. I am not your pal, I am not proudly South African however and 3. The ANC is failing the masses and all the other "for all South Africans".
BETHUEL 12/4/2008 2:56:50 PM
I fail to understand why refusal because Even the party to be was present(COPE).something is wrong, They knows clearly that breakaways was caused by diavition of contitution. why can't they come to prove COPE wrong.How long JZ will run Zille debate is now the 5th request by the same woman.this present ANC NEC shows weakness.
Morgoth 12/4/2008 2:59:15 PM
In politics perception is the key, nobody cares about the facts. The fact might be that there is no danger but to decline to participate will only inforce that perception. Another perception is that the ANC is hijacked by Communist inclined parties. this stand to believe that when the ANC wins there is a danger due to the constitution from Communist policy. The debate can be used to dispel any fears to the public. why not participate to dispel it? Wasted opuurtunity for the ANC?
Lucky Ralawe 12/4/2008 3:00:38 PM
Surely if they've been accused of unconstitutional behaviour-Zuma is above the law; judges are counterevolutionary, etc - the debate offered them a chance to disprove that? Once a matter is before the court, only the complainant can withdraw it, not the ANC mob. The Constitution also says the judiciary is independent.When the ANC start calling judges names, aren't they trying to influence them to only make findings in their favour?That is unconstitutional.They owed it to us to defend their stance
Francois 12/4/2008 3:09:09 PM
well said man! @Les-Maada, perception is everything right? They walk out to avoid "stale issues". well if the issue is stale then that to me mean that its not resolved. Why not resolve these stale issues of crime/corruption/service delivery and move on FYI, I see enough in this day and age to know that the ANC is the next worst thing, leave my ancestors out of our argument/debate. most people had work in those days. Don't get me wrong. Apartheid = BAD in the same breath the ANC = BAD
Francois 12/4/2008 3:12:01 PM
I am not insulting "the black people". I AM insulting that screwed organisation called the ANC? Are you truly that thick man?
JBird 12/4/2008 3:12:07 PM
According to the bill of rights 7.2 The state must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights in the Bill of rights. Therefore the ANC can not just simply turn down a invitation from multiple political parties with a statement that it sees no issue therefore it will not participate. According to Zuma himself "I am a firm democrat. There can be no issue that cannot and should not be debated." The people of SA are being treated like unwanted children and are not being consulted, informed or involved in anything of importance relative to our democracy. Everything that happens is controlled by the NEC off whom the majority are corrupt. I am sad but if I had to travel forward in time 10 years I fear I will see another Zimbabwe.
Annatar 12/4/2008 3:15:26 PM
Regarding your answer to Francois. Perhaps you should practice what you preach. your points would be more valid with less anger to your tone. Have you been offended? shame! Information for you buddy, ANC is the new apartheid! A white man hasn't got a chance in this country if you haven't noticed.
Pop 12/4/2008 3:15:35 PM
JZ in interview with Business Days aid "I am a firm democrat. There can be no issue that cannot and should not be debated." Therefor they did withdraw cowardly.
L van Heerden 12/4/2008 3:20:02 PM
You can derive whatever conclusion from the refusal, but they have a right to refuse to debate. I do not support the ANC, but they have a right to be excluded on any debate. Their refusal does not deny anyone in choosing who they wish to vote for. Some democracies around the world do not debate. Debate is only mentioned around the American elections
Thembalabantubonke 12/4/2008 3:23:09 PM
Political parties have other platforms to talk about what they stand for. They go to stadiums and halls to meet all South Africans and tell them about what their party proposes. Debates are made for television and provide very little. If you want more information about a party, why not attend their meetings in a hall or stadium near you. Do I really expect that if the PAC had the best policies, someone will vote for them?
Duzi 12/4/2008 3:23:15 PM
Quote:"Most White commentors in this forums never lacks that passion for stupidity & you're the perfect eg" - Although I do agree with some of you points, this comment proves that you are no better than Francois when it comes to classifying ppl based on their colour. Mate, to re-itterate something YOU said... prove your point with valid facts before you make statements like this. How can you tell someone's colour anyways from written text...?
Afr 12/4/2008 3:29:53 PM
In principal...to do the same to white people (people who where born after apartheid) to cancel out the inequalities of the past (by giving less qualified black people work before white people),does NOT change the fact that doing this is TOTALLY WRONG.What someones ancestors did does not determine how you should treat a person. The ANC IS IN FACT a apartheid goverment in black skin.You,"my friend",are the stupid one for not acknowledging this.THANK YOU
Kenroid 12/4/2008 3:35:01 PM
You are correct...and although I am not a fan of the ANC and I am upset they withdrew from the debate, it can be plainly seen that if they had accepted the debate then they would have tacitly implied that the constitution is under threat!!! Perhaps the debate should've have been in a different context but still focusing on the constitution...
GMan 12/4/2008 3:35:42 PM
Apartheid this and apartheid that. Most of you were still babies when all this was going down. The only struggle you had was getting trhough school.
GMan 12/4/2008 3:39:11 PM
Our constitution is under threat. These Clowns (ANC, before you ask) are pissing on it, our rights and everything else that men like Madiba fought so hard for. Freedom fighters my ass. Thieves, rapists and murderers; that is what they are. They are too scared to debate because the "security gaurd" and the "whiteys" will tear them apart and prove to the world that they are what they are... IDIOTS!! It is a shame that some black people are so blinded with hate that they spew the shit they do.
Sven Gohre 12/4/2008 3:45:43 PM
Les-Maada, comparing the ANC to the National Party that oversaw Apartheid, should not be an insult to Black people, but a wake up call to stop autocratic leaders destroying the goodwill and prosperity of the country. DO4get2voteANC, if the present Gov. was interested in the poor, do you not think they would at least drill boreholes for the people living in squatter camps, or would that reduce the richness of the Gravy Train.Plse,do 4 get to vote ANC vote someone else.
Lucky Ralawe 12/4/2008 3:51:50 PM
"Anything worth debating..." like what when your President is a flip-flopper who contract his own party's policies? Example, he said (i)he was a gay-basher when he was young-this violates the right to equality which the ANC fought for; (ii) we must debate the issue of the death penalty-the ANC specifically fought for the right to life as the death penalty was abused by the apartheid regime; (iii) fear God-the ANC outlawed religious instruction at school because it does want to favor any religion
BD 12/4/2008 3:52:23 PM
Debate, the ANC curenlty is a the threat to the constitution, they are the Black Appartheid and they are the only thing standing in the way of Progress. Les, you don't represent all black people, so f off. you are the black scum and you give other black people a bad name. VG you are just ignorant and blind. Democracy is the right for people to know who they are voting for!!! or have you something to hide
Joe333 12/4/2008 3:53:30 PM
Of course the ANC will say that the constitution is not "under threat". However, should they win by 2/3 majority in the next election, they will change the constitution. Media freedom and free speech will be the first rights to be tampered with. We must make sure that they don't get a 2/3 majority.
Farakhan 12/4/2008 4:24:20 PM
Precious sound like a very confuse individual (i would't like to say a woman}. The ANC believe is that there are no crisis in our constitution therefore there is nothing to debate, dont you get that. What is it with your vote Precious? Tell us! Do you really think that the ANC cares about your vote? I never voted them before but they got mine this time around, so relax and take your vote to where you will be happy simply as that.
Bova 12/4/2008 4:33:17 PM
be worried when they have uneducated masses who only know ANC as the only political home in SA.
NG 12/4/2008 5:02:22 PM
I don't believe that the ANC is capable is debate - I have never heard anything intelligent come out of any of their mouths yet!
Francois 12/4/2008 5:37:34 PM
I truly and honestly enjoyed your post aimed at Less Maada. We may have our differences BUT I am VERY willing to go and find a brighter future for SA with country men like you! SALUTE!
Rainbow Nation 12/4/2008 5:54:11 PM
Well said Precious! This country needs more people like you! :) Zuma is an ass! He is so scared of Zille & COPE that in a debate he would probably just end up doing something stupid like... like... like... Oh wait, what stupid thing has he not done yet?
TedHaller 12/4/2008 6:11:49 PM
Hahahahaha - 'Do you really think that the ANC cares about your vote?' Hahahahahaha. You've just hit the jackpot china!! Stop, please, my sides hurt. No one need say anything else about the anc. Bwwaahahahahahaha
Concerned South African 12/4/2008 6:21:39 PM
No well balanced person should vote for a person or a party who state the following We wish to eradicate crime We will not include any empty promises nor promises which will be at the cost of the taxpayer in ourelection manifesto WHERE SUCH PERSON OR PARTY : Bends over backwards to protect the criminal and fraudulent elements within its ranks and seems to be unable to grasp that all government funds are derived from taxpayers
LUGWADU 12/4/2008 8:18:35 PM
I humbly proclaim that the ANC was set up as the parlament of the people. Prior to the arrival of the colonialists, apartheid and other forms of imperialism, there was no need to form the ANC. So the ANC was formed to defend the interests of the African majority. This is the ANC I know. What we see now at LUTHULI HOUSE ,is a troop of fraudstars, corruptees, thieves etc. The masses of our people will form onother parlament. So those who hate the ANC , FOR LIBERATING OUR PEOPLE, MUST NOT DETER US
Anon 12/4/2008 8:59:00 PM
Nevermind the ANC's withdrawal - the fact that THIS debate is happening amongst US, the voters, is something to be glad for. There is hope as long as we still have this freedom!
Joe333 12/4/2008 9:58:57 PM
Debate is much more valuable than political rallies. Supporters of political parties will not attend rallies of opposition parties, and therefore they will get the same message over and over again. This doesn?t teach you anything about the opposition party?s policies or messages. By debating the relevant issues in an open forum is the only way of determining the differences between parties. Weather you agree with a party?s policies or not, keeping an open mind on matters political is the only way of preserving real democracy. ANC supporters especially need to keep this in mind.
Len van Heerden 12/5/2008 7:38:48 AM
I hear you, but surely a debate would not resolve. It will lead to posturing. If Zuma has changed the ANC's positions, surely then you have to assume that he speaks on behalf of the ANC and that means the ANC has changed. If that is significant for you, then you will vote for a party that respects the principles you respect, like COPE, DA, IFP, etc. Debate will resolve nothing as spin doctors will always be there afterwards

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