ANC LEGACY LIVES ON

Reflection on how the diplomatic legacy of the African National Congress party has rejuvenated our democracy



In one of his speeches Nelson Mandela told a gathering, “let no individual, faction or group regard itself greater than the organisation and the people”. The ANC is a party that was formed on a formidable ground following the oppression of blacks by the apartheid government. With its long history, some individual’s contribution like Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Oliver Tambo remains indefatigable in this present time. By the above words of Mandela, he actually conveys that the ANC represents the people and no individual or group is greater than the masses. The idea of Africa Nationalism of the trio in 1944 led to involving the masses to utilise military actions. The ANC responded militarily on the attack of black people. The masses were encouraged to strikes and boycott... which later led to the Defiance Campaign in 1950 where masses were encouraged to further campaigns against apartheid laws. The party intended to achieve a society where people are empowered intellectually, socially, economically and morally. With its long and rich history, the objective of the ANC was defined by the principle of leading the country to a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.

Having argued in one of my former write-ups that race is still a vital issue that needs home-grown solutions; it is of no doubt that a handful of progress has been made in bridging the gaps between different races in the country. The ANC with its unique policy has highlighted fears and worries of racial discrimination and has indeed set up different positive measures which prove to be yielding fruit in curbing racial discrimination. Of course, I will agree with Archbishop Desmond Tutu that we have come from a very long road, we have achieved a lot and more still needs to be achieved. I will highlight again on how prejudice and bitterness has enveloped and heightened racial tensions. In a recent survey that was published on Cape Times News, it revealed that Cape Town is seen to be hostile to black people while white people are still been appointed and promoted at rates suggesting ‘positive discrimination’ in their favour. Commissioned by the employment equity programme and conducted by Sabie Surtee and Martin Hull, the report examined 13 Western Cape businesses that together employed about 60,000 people in management positions. It suggested that transformation in Cape was “at best stalled and perhaps in reverse”. In all companies participating in this study, African people are under-represented (in management positions) in comparison to their overall contribution to the ‘South African workforce’ the report wrote. They found black people to almost always be less successful than white people in moving up their career paths, creating what is called an “ebony ceiling”. In this report, interviewees both blacks and whites voiced dissatisfaction on the slow progress the Western Cape has taken in curbing racial discrimination. It is also a fact that individuals try to use racism as an escape route to avoid critic or engage other races where need be. There is absolutely no doubt that the post-1994 ANC government has massively achieved a handful in eradicating racism. With good quality education, building of schools and monitoring teachers’ performance and the recent splitting of the education ministry into Basic and Higher-has been a brilliant move to ensure that institutions are strengthened and that there is adequate monitoring and evaluation. With high/well grounded Self Esteem we can be a few miles away in effacing this racial virus that is deteriorating the nation.

However the role of women will never be forgotten in the struggle to ensure a non-sexist society. According to the founding document of the Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa, women struggles started before the last century. They were excluded from decision making processes and they continued to fight for their rights and for all others who were oppressed. Their objectives were to unite the women of South Africa in diversity, strengthen the relationship between the government and women organisation, ensure that women that are committed to women’s agenda have their forum and fight against the discrimination of women in all spheres of life. Our democratic government recognises this and thus has involved women in policy making processes. One of the challenges still facing us is the unjustifiable reason on why women are still been assaulted and raped. In the front page of a Sunday Times newspaper, we read how General Manala Manzini assaulted his wife because she wouldn’t cook or iron his clothes. We also get acquainted on how Maketta Jimmy abused and raped 22 women on his routine operation. We believe that hope has been revived by the recent dedication to duties by the recent government and the police chief to fight and protect the rights of women in South Africa. The recent piece of Dr Gumede http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/vusigumede/2009/11/30/acknowledging-challenges-confronting-women-and-girl-children/ also highlighted few concerns confonting women in this modern age.

Moreover, our constitution has proven to be remarkable and accommodative among others in the world, ensuring that the rights of individuals are respected and honoured. Greater stability and economic freedom has been achieved. Political parties commit themselves to democracy and greater use of dialogues has been used to implement different Government strategies. The government has also reduced deficit budgets and public debt. Young people in townships and cities now have access to clean water, quality education and good housing. With an independent judiciary, our legal system seeks to protect its citizens and acknowledge their rights. There might be few short-comings but the high percentage achievement has proven that greater heights can still be achieved.

With concise and progressive measures in place, the ancient idea, dream and objective of attaining a society where individuals are empowered intellectually, emotionally, socially and morally will continue to be achieved and will reach its greatest heights. This will realize the vision of Pixley Seme when he said, more than 90years ago: “There is today among all races and men a general desire for progress and for co-operation, because co-operation will facilitate and secure that progress” and the principle of creating a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa will be attained to its entirety if we believe that we hold the key to the future and the future lies in our hands as Nelson Mandela phrased.

Together and united we can make a difference!