Decline in the dignity of the SA Presidency by Justice Pretorius.

 

Decline in the dignity of the SA Presidency by Justice Pretorius.

For those who grew up under apartheid and lived in the time when young white men still served for two years in the SADF and fought futile wars in Angola and elsewhere, 1994 made one ask the question, what for? And it brought questions of what the future would hold and where everything would lead.

However most reasonable SA citizens would agree that things initially turned out way better than anticipated.

Nelson Mandela became president…    It could have been very different. Jailed for 27 years for fighting for the basic rights of his people, not because of criminal intent. He could have successfully exploited the martyr angle. He could have played on the emotions of the black people who make up almost 80% of the population. Things could have turned really nasty.

However that’s not what happened. Had an angel emerged from Robben Island the results could hardly have been more astonishing. It takes Divine grace to endure 27 innocent years in jail and to emerge without a grudge. How many people alive could imitate that?

No wonder he grew into an international icon a beacon of hope and inspiration for billions. I think much of what Nelson Mandela are and what he has impressed upon his generation will only be fathomed and completely understood by South Africans and the world long after he has gone.

His conduct and way of life exceeds my conception of dignity, it touches on the Divine. In other words he added more than just dignity to the Office, he raised the bar so high, and it is unlikely that it could ever be equaled.

Then came his successor, Thabo Mbeki. Certainly he did not have the stature of Madiba, he was not the icon Madiba was, but he definitely served with dignity. No scandals, allegations or ugly rumors or public exhibitions of moral decay and unbecoming personal conduct. An economics student at Sussex University in the UK he contributed to economic policies that benefited this country. Initially he was seen by his party as the man who would lead his fellow citizens out of poverty a view that evaporated during his power struggle with his successor. However his sound economic policies have helped to make South Africa the most powerful economy in Africa. He contributed tremendously as a mediator in troubled African regions like Burundi, the Congo and Zimbabwe.

 Someone has said: “He established democracy throughout the region. His resume certainly tops that of many African leaders and it is perplexing to see the fall of such a political leader”. Yet he was recalled by his party.

Before Jacob Zuma South Africa was led by Kgalema Motlanthe for a period of eight months. He served with dignity and integrity and proved himself to be a leader worthy of his countries respect and admiration. He is a key figure behind the success of Jacob Zuma. Motlanthe was also South Africa’s first Tswana speaking president. The formative influence in his young life was the Anglican Church. He served as an altar boy for many years and considered becoming a priest. He was sentenced to ten years imprisonment on Robben Island. To him that was one of the most productive years of his life, time that were spend reading and staying updated with world affairs. He once said that those years gave meaning to his life. During his presidency he concerned himself substantially with HIV affairs.

He was eventually replaced by South Africa’s least dignified president Jacob Zuma.

The incessant rumors, allegations, scandals, accusations and criticism generated by this man or against him are a constant source of embarrassment to most South Africans.

In 1997 it was reported that this man failed to report his interest in certain companies and I said to my wife: “Where you see smoke ascending there must be a fire”. It proved to be justified. The rumors and allegations never ceased.  Corruption allegations, rape charges etc. The list goes on and on. If Thabo Mbeki who was a saint in comparison to Jacob Zuma was recalled by the ANC why aren’t  Jacob Zuma recalled. Of all the Presidents mentioned none did more damaged to this countries international image than Jacob Zuma. During his presidency the dignity of the office did not merely deteriorate, it plummeted. This country deserves better.

It is said in the New York Times that Jacob Zuma raised the hopes of the dispossessed but have not yet delivered the better live that they are demanding. I further quote. “Despite persistent corruption charges and the taint of extramarital affairs, he is a political survivor who has risen to lead the continents powerhouse nation. Yet his administration have been dogged by news of self-dealing and misconduct by public officials that has eroded the confidence South Africans have in their own government and political parties”.

However the dignity of the office are ultimately determined by the voters in whose hands they hold the inheritance of our children. We as South Africans must decide our own destiny. Certainly we deserve a President who is respected by the international community. Someone who is respected and conducts himself impeccably in all areas of life.  

I quote from the web page “Ask Africans”. The presidency for him (Zuma) is like priesthood. There is no ambition or strategy. Just banal duties and pomp. His main pre-occupation is pomp and sex. He is very eloquent, which is a gift God has given him, but he is not intelligent. End of quote.

Let’s restore dignity to South Africa’s highest office. Come let us vote for change

HOW TO BEAT THE ANC.                               BY: JUSTICE PRETORIUS.

Government is deteriorating at an accelerating pace. Incompetence, corruption, blatant mismanagement, despotism and self-enrichment are choking the life out of our country. The mismanagement of our children’s education, the mismanagement of our water resources,  the mismanagement of our economy and mining sector, the mismanagement of critical Government departments, the mismanagement of our agriculture and the mismanagement of our international image and our international policy especially in relation to Israel. And there are many more.

The solution is not in party politics! It would take years for the opposition parties to gain sufficient support to make a difference!

I have a better and more radical solution. A solution that would yield immediate and overwhelming support from all of South Africa’s voters.

I suggest that all opposition parties disband and then come together and form one unified front with a new constitution and an awesome new vision. That vision is the inheritance of our children. That vision should focus on one thing and that is what this country would look like in twenty to fifty years. Would things be better or worse for our children?

We need long term plans to insure that the infrastructure in this country is maintained and improved! Zimbabwe failed to maintain theirs. They failed to protect their agricultural wealth! We can’t make the same mistakes. We must protect the inheritance of our children.

The sacrifice of party benefits and position and status are the most effective way to ensure voters that they are serious and committed to change! I am certain that most voters would back a party that has sacrificed for the benefit of our children. In this way, if all opposition parties participate, the ANC can be beaten at the next election. Like Mr. Lekota said recently: “This is a good plan, but will it be implemented?”

I know this is a good plan and if it is implemented, it will succeed a lot quicker than any other plan on the table. But would opposition parties be willing to make the sacrifice? Will we make our children proud?

The inheritance of our children.                       By Justice Pretorius.

Pr 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children:

Eighteen long years have passed since 1994! The ANC regularly declare their “achievements”! They love to rub our noses in the imaginary “differences” between them and the apartheid regime! They claim to be so superior! They preach a better nation, a rainbow nation with an international icon to showcase in our own Madiba!  

But when 34 mineworkers get’s killed under democratic rule, something is very wrong. There is something extremely undemocratic about 34 citizens of a democracy been murdered just because they protest against the system! I don’t care who was right or wrong. Things like this don’t just happen! Every tree has roots. Every situation has a beginning! To just look at this tragedy superficially would be catastrophic. Many things run together to bring about something this huge! It’s not just about 34 dead miners. They are only the tip of the iceberg, but what lies under the water. Remember the Titanic. This Government isn’t unsinkable either!

Non delivery of services is causing more and more violent demonstration. It is growing too! People are getting wise. The Gospel group Prophet sings a song that says: “All the children of Jesus aren’t pawpaws!” The same goes for children of the rainbow nation! They are informed; they have the media, radio and TV. They know what their leaders and government are doing! And they are not happy! And they are getting angry! They feel betrayed. And it’s not going to be fixed easily or quickly!

The greatest betrayal is the sour mine water that’s carelessly allowed to pollute our rivers. This is inexcusable. This government is mismanaging the inheritance of our children! Water is the lifeblood of all living things! Without it life ceases! How dare they! This is beyond excusable. This is the ultimate betrayal! They knew for years that the mine water is rising. Why was nothing done to manage it? There is no excuse for this; our children’s inheritance is not negotiable! 

And even if all the above never happened or were properly fixed, what good would it do our children if they grow up in a country where their education is blatantly mismanaged! Once again I don’t care who was right or wrong!  Our children’s inheritance is not negotiable!  Things like this must not happened, period! The whole government is incompetent and guilty! This is inexcusable. There is no excuse for this neglect, Minister! And the fact that you thought that there were is a betrayal of the children that you are supposed to protect and serve!

I go back to my opening quote.

Pr 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children:

What inheritance will the voters of this generation leave to its children?

How will we decide our children’s inheritance come election time?