18 March 2010

The IFP says prior to the 2009 elections, South Africans thought that President Jacob Zuma was a Messiah who was going to bring about the paradise after former President Mbeki had been 'thrown into the political lake of fire'. Reality has however proven him and the ANC to be far from such. This was said today by the IFP's Deputy KwaZulu-Natal Chairperson and Member of the Provincial Legislature Blessed Gwala when he addressed members of the public at Phoenix in Durban today. Beginning his address Gwala said:

"The founding fathers of democracy had very good intentions when they founded this form of government. However, history has proven time-and-again that - while the noble intentions of democracy are to serve the people and ensure equality - some sections of humanity never hesitate to use the very same democratic processes to serve their own selfish ends. History has shown that some people, once they take over power, tend to forget that they are in power to serve those who have elected them. The Zimbabwean crisis is a classic example.

"Time-and-again former freedom-fighters have turned out to be the worst oppressors once they assume government power. They do not oppress only their opposition, but even their own comrades as well. Hence the accuracy of Lord Acton's words that, "power tends to corrupt; and absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely." He continued:    

"South African Example

While South Africa has not degenerated into a strictly one-party state, there are, however, glaring examples which prove that, to have a very strong ruling party and weak opposition is dangerous for the country.

The Arms debacle which has not yet been dealt with transparently and with satisfaction is one example. Government's nonchalant treatment of the HIV-AIDS crisis during the period of President Thabo Mbeki; government's indifferent approach to the issues of traditional leadership; government's shameful treatment of Khutsong and now Matatiele residents; Julius Malema's insolent and provocative utterances; allegations of corruption; jobs-for-pals; are all living examples of a government that has been corrupted by its majority to the point of ill-treating even those who voted for them. Not to mention failures of government entities like iThala, Eskom and others, all of whom are headed by ANC cadres appointed purely for the fact that they are loyal to the ruling party rather than their abilities and qualifications.             

"Here in eThekwini we have recent examples where the ANC Council gave a R300m housing contract to one company whose owner is the daughter of the late Florence Mkhize, well-known ANC activist. Mind you, that company was not registered with the relevant building monitoring body when it was awarded that contract. Not only that, but the ANC Chairperson in eThekwini the Hon. John Mchunu MPL, is alleged to have benefited with tenders worth millions of Rands from the same ANC Council.

"Mind you, BEE's objective is said to be empowering as many people as possible. Yet the same ANC Municipality has the temerity to give to one company a tender worth millions of Rands; all this while we are in the midst of unemployment and poverty. Why enable one person to buy a Ferrari when you can give ten people each a chance to buy a BMW?

"How did we arrive at This Situation?

Ladies and gentlemen, those of us who work daily among the people will tell you that there is widespread dissatisfaction among the general public about the failure of government to deliver services. In particular there are complaints about fraud and corruption that plague the government from the local to the national levels. Again, when we look around the country, we witness community protests emerging all over against the very same ANC government. 

"Yet just less than a year ago, it is the very same citizens - who are now complaining - who were singing jubilantly, proclaiming the arrival of a Messiah - in the person of HE Mr. Jacob Zuma - who was going to bring about a paradise. Former President Mbeki was castigated as a "devil" that had to be thrown into the political lake of fire.  We all remember that after Polokwane, almost the whole country thought that, at last we had a new government which would govern with integrity.

"Ironically, the citizens decided to forget that Mr. Jacob Zuma was not brand new "from the box." He had been the Deputy President under President Mbeki. He had been part of all the policy conferences of the ANC which had brought about the policies of the Mandela and Mbeki governments.

"Above that they forgot that the post-Polokwane ANC was the same organization that had ruled South Africa since 1994 and that Zuma was a member of that same ANC.  Voters swallowed the propaganda which placed the whole blame on the Mbeki government as if Mbeki was not a member of the same ANC who was ruling according to the policies of the same ANC.

"The situation we find ourselves in is the direct result of what the voters did to themselves, by voting overwhelmingly for the ANC as if they were voting for a new party.  This situation has landed us with a very strong ruling party and weak opposition. The fact that we are now witnessing conflicts within the ANC-SACP-COSATU Alliance proves that indeed people gave blank cheques to the Zuma-led ANC, each hoping that his/her cheque would buy them what they were promised.   

"Need for Opposition

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the history and background that makes it imperative that, for democracy to flourish and achieve its objectives, there must be room and space for strong voices of opposition. In other words, the populace must vigilantly guard their democratic gains by constantly monitoring those who are in power, ready to hold them accountable for their actions.

"Obviously, the whole population cannot go to parliament. Instead, they express their monitoring role by ensuring that there is strong opposition which must act as their watchdogs.

"At the last general elections, the voters of this Province gave Inkatha Freedom Party the mandate to be the voice of opposition. The voters of this Province charged us in the IFP with ensuring that the ruling African National Congress and its government do not abuse the mandate given them at the polls.

"I however prefer to refer to us as 'watchdogs' than opposition. To me the term 'watchdog' says that as the opposition, we are the eyes, ears, mouths and feet of millions of the residents of this Province. We are expected to scrutinize, prod and question whatever government program or activity especially which seems to deviate from what the people expect. We must call government to order when they deviate from their Manifesto, on the basis of which they campaigned for and won the support of the voters. 

"Challenge to each Community Member

Our role as opposition does not begin and end in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature. But it spreads to the eThekwini Municipality and every other Municipality where we are not in power.

"But the cardinal truth is that with the numbers we have in Parliament, we cannot be effective as the IFP unless each member of the community plays their role. The more the support of the IFP grows, the better for democracy and for each of us. 

"Each member of the community and each member of the IFP must stay alert daily to any sign of the abuse of power whether by a local Councillor or ANC structure. We must never hesitate to sound the clarion call warning communities against any form of abuse and party-political conduct which disadvantages those who do not belong to the ruling party.

"There must be a hotline between communities, IFP structures and our Councillors and Members of Parliament at both Provincial and National levels. Never hesitate to contact any IFP Councillor or MP on any issue which you feel must be brought before Council or Parliament.

"But above that, you must use branches of the IFP as centres of political activity and discussion which touch on local issues. The fiercest political battles must be fought and won within and among the people outside the structures of Parliament - through the structures of the IFP.

"Our survival and prosperity as the IFP, and our ability to continue serving your interests, is dependent on your support in addition to our readiness and willingness to busy ourselves with the daily needs of the people.

"This means that as the IFP, we must be relevant to the people's needs.  It means we cannot go to the people who are worried about the fact that they are not employed, and talk to them about whether or not gays and lesbians should be legalized for instance. What concerns them at that moment is the fact that they are at risk of starving and losing their possessions because they cannot afford to buy food for their families and to pay instalments. This calls for researching your constituency to know their needs and priorities. 

"No serious party can ignore the plight of the people and then hope that they will support its causes. When the communities of Phoenix for instance are faced with problems of crime, lawlessness and dysfunctional education, they must hear the IFP's voice in their midst, debating and discussing with them the ways to solve those problems. That voice is the branch or Constituency of the IFP!

"IFP branches, Constituencies and Districts must know that they are political forums first and foremost where community issues are discussed. It is therefore expected that political issues, especially as they affect the people, should be standing items on agendas of these organs of the party.     

"In addition, IFP structures - from the branch to the national level - Councillors and Members of Parliament must be in the habit of gathering communities together to seek their wisdom, to take that wisdom to the relevant structures - be it Local government, Provincial government or National government - and to give progress reports back to the people.

"And IFP branches must never hesitate to invite Councillors, Members of Parliament to address meetings of communities on issues that are hot within those communities. If the situation is such that the Minister must be convened, our structures - working with our MP's - must take the lead in doing so.   

"But, above that, we must not be afraid of being vociferous and engaging in the politics of the street if the situation demands that, because experience has shown that in most cases, those who are in power only listen when thousands go out onto the streets to demonstrate their power.

"The positive impact of engaging in the non-violent tactics was evident in the campaign that was waged by the eThekwini District of the IFP against the arbitrary closure of the Early Morning Market in Durban.

"Conclusion

"These are the few thoughts I wanted to share with you ladies and gentlemen. The IFP needs your support. Democracy calls on you to give strength to the IFP in its role as the opposition.

"Believe me when I say that if you want a healthy democracy in this country, if you want to avoid a slide towards a one-party state, if you want power to stop the ANC's abuse of power, to stop the abuse of the tender system, to stop fraud and corruption, then give support to the IFP.  We have a track record of honesty. We have a leader who is the example of trustworthiness.  The IFP holds the moral compass in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa."

For Further Information:

Mr Blessed Gwala IFP MPL

KZN Deputy Chairperson   078690 5777