I'm sitting here, contemplating the forthcoming local elections and I am sad that for the first time I will not be voting for the ANC. Before anyone starts jumping up and down, hear me out as to why I have given the ANC my vote before.
When I went to vote for the first time in 1994, I voted with my heart. I voted for the only option. I voted with my heart and believed that this country could be a shining light for the world. I voted for the ideal proposed by Nelson Mandela just after his release from prison, 27 years after his incarceration. I believed that the ANC would be the saviour of this country, and for a short while I believed this. I witnessed a Minister of Finance take office who was prepared to step up to all the challenges he knew was waiting - Comrade Trevor, I salute you. I saw the ANC stance on communism wither in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I saw a new leadership take responsibility. I saw a measure of accountability - to the people and to the world. I saw hope. I saw progress. I saw an economy grow stronger than any South African economy before, a strong Rand, business opportunities (for all) and non racialism proliferate. I saw this. And much more. But the light was too bright, and blinded me. Badly!
I then witnessed the coming death of the dream for many. After one term, the Mbeki era was ushered in. Slowly, the blinkers came off. But again, I voted for the ANC. I still wanted to believe. The economy was still growing, slower yes, but sustainable, or so I believed. The rot was starting to set in, with the SABC becoming a state organ. We heard what the state wanted us to hear, and the ears of the people were fed with promises. Lies were told. The people believed.
Till now. Our ANC government of today is fat and bloated, and just like a fat and bloated pig, this animal needs to be fed constantly. Ministers driving R1 million rand cars. Living in estate mansions. But the people have seen nothing but visions of prosperity. I lived in Gauteng for a while, and drove through Diepsloot on my way to Fourways/Sandton one day. And all I saw was shack upon shack upon shack. Running water was in scarce supply. And electricity a luxury. I saw people queuing for taxi's at 5.00 A.M, waiting to take the fortunate few to jobs in the city. But the majority of people in that township still living in the hope that something better would be coming. And so we come to today..
Today we stand on the brink of another election. The ANC have asked us to vote them into power again. They have asked us to vote for incompetent city officials who have squandered away the legacy of the ANC. They have asked us to vote for lazy, corrupt city officials who have only empowered themselves. They have asked us to vote for a local government who promise the people of townships electricity by 2014, proudly, as part of the election manifesto!
So, today, I say to my fellow comrades – I can no longer stand by and idly wait for you to destroy what is left of our former glory and legacy. Today I have to vote for the opposition. I base my vote on service delivery. I base my vote on accountability. And I base my vote on the need for continued growth on matters that matter!
Sorry ANC – I have seen the light – and it is not Green and Gold and Black any longer.
