This post has been brewing in my mind for a while now. In fact, since I decided that I was in firm support of change, yes we can and Barak Obama I’ve been thinking about the state of politics in SA.
I’m not so sure that Zille is our future. In fact I sort of resent the fact that politicians the world over are over the age of 50 and seem to lack any on the ground connection to the voting public. Hence my adoration for Obama and disdain for McCain. Obama got it right, he connected with the “youth” on a level that they wanted or craved.
Why should I put my trust in a leader who doesn’t seem to get me? Who doesn’t seem to talk to me. Maybe she does get me but I honestly don’t hear enough from her to know what she gets.
Which brings me to another point: Why is it that we aren’t hearing from the parties, why is there no campaigning going on? It’s less than a year until I am meant to give my vote away to someone or some party, why is no one rallying for that vote? Or is it such a foregone conclusion that things are too far gone to need to campaign? I think not.
Around the world millions upon millions of dollars are spent on every campaign for presidency. Where is the big money? And surely the big money in SA would mean a winner? The more money, the more exposure, the more votes? Or not?
In a nutshell, I am asking for a leader with firm policies, with a firm grasp on reality, with a firm grasp on society and one that is willing to lead me through the next four years.
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September 8th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I believe South Africa should adopt some aspects of the US electoral system.The President should run as an individual( he may or may not be the president of his party). Parliament should be elected by proportional representation, not party lists.The provinces should have elected Premiers/Governors and have their own judiciary, police etc. Mayors of all major cities should be elected. These cities should also have their own police forces. The SAPS should be disbanded and replaced an FBI type organization (The Scorpions?)
September 8th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
What ‘disdain’ do you have for McCain? Do you realise how biased the US media is?!
You guys in the rest of the world only hears the good about ‘messiah’ Obama and the bad about McCain, because that is the way that the media filters the news.
If you lived here and you read and watched what is going on, you would be disgusted.
I was also a firm Obama supporter when I lived in England, but changed my mind when I got to the US.
Anyway, that was not the main part of your blog, so sorry for hijacking it. I just needed to lay an egg, seeing that I am so fed up with the US media!
I SO hope that the problems in SA will be sorted out, because it is still the country of my heart.
September 9th, 2008 at 8:14 am
OMG. get over it. Obama is not the messiah you think him to be.
He has a catchy 3 word slogan and all young people of the world seem to be hypnotised. I am a 16 year old tracking with interest the current US elections. I can tell you Obama doesn’t speak to me… he speaks to the socialist left (not necessarily all young people). Look, I dont know anything about Helen Zille, or the DNC. But surely anyone is better than the ANC at the moment isn’t it?
There is a widely held world view that the USA is the ‘great evil’, aparently the only reason the USA(and Israel for that matter) go to war is too stimulate their economy with weapons production…oh and GwB aparently blew up the trade centres, killing 2000 or so people just to go to war on Iraq… It leaves a sour taste in my mouth, it honeslty does. And it is these people that support Obama. Anyway from I hear and see Zille will not ‘change’/ in fact she has no chance of getting elected. SA, like NZ(where i live) and Ozzy and many other places the political leaders have no charisma, no inner beliefs and quite frankly ‘arent cool’. This is why I love US politics. you have a very likable guy like John McCain, who almost died for his country… who has strong morals and does not sway by them (as does George W Bush i might add) he is inspiring and has a sense of humour. Obama, who must be one of the most charismatic men in my lifetime, and is genuinely a good guy with the right heart. Plus you have the ‘also rans’ like Mike Huckabee (comedic), Mitt Romney (powerful and charismatic), Rudi Guiliani (‘September 11′) and obviously Hillary Clinton plus that Mike Gravel who is also funny, depsite being a wack job.
I hope someone comes along and puts SA on the right track.. And I think it can be done… someone to truly unite the nation and put aside race and the past (whilst still never forgetting it) to make sure South Africa doesnt turn into the rest of Africa….sort out crime, drugs, unemplyment, poverty. It may be impossible, especially if no one comes along..Although Jacob Zuma worries me, I think he will most probably do a better job than Mbeki in trying to improve conditions for the poor and ridding poverty.
September 9th, 2008 at 9:42 am
i don’t think you can compare south african politics to American. and in fact I’d rather the money stays out of politics here – but that’s not realistic.
American politicians are merely puppets with corporate hands stuck up their asses moving their mouths. in the end no one donates a significant amount of money to a campaign without expecting some sort of ‘payback’ when the person becomes president.
I’m sure the same happens here and the world over – politics is a nasty business.
And why spend a significant amount of money on campaigns here when all you need to do is come up with a chant like ” bring my my machine gun” – a chant that has invigorated so many voters?
I wouldn’t underestimate Helen Zille – she is a very tenacious lady and is rooted in the struggle of this nation – she was after all the young journalist who had the courage to break the Steve Biko story. So she has cred.
I do agree though that the DA needs to embrace the youth and build their base from there up – but i think they have put some effort into this already what with Facebook groups and the likes…
Cru Masters last blog post..Waterblommetjie Potjie
September 9th, 2008 at 9:47 am
“In a nutshell, I am asking for a leader with firm policies, with a firm grasp on reality, with a firm grasp on society and one that is willing to lead me through the next four years.”
Good luck finding that anywhere in the world, South Africa lacks leaders across a lot of fields, politics is no exception. In fact this arena we are scraping the barrel regardless of who you choose to vote for.
gmks last blog post..Feeding your readers
September 10th, 2008 at 5:17 am
I wasn’t sure where to ask this question, but thought I might do it here, because it has to do with SA currently and the laws, rules and regulations under the current government.
My question: On news24 a while ago, there was an article where it stated that the Police should shoot to kill (criminals), because crime is getting out of hand. Why then do they not bring back the death penalty if they are shooting to kill anyway?
Just doesn’t make sense.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
DS,
There is no common sense – this is Africa mate. Just like how our future president has been charged twice and has got of free both times and i wont be surprised if it was not because of the intimidation by his supporters of threatening to cause war, kill and take up arms if he is not free from all charges.
September 15th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Who wants a politician in touch with “youth interests?” We need politicians in touch with reality, not rap culture and video games. Idiot.
Dantes last blog post..Self, Kin, Group and Race, Part 2
September 15th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Dante don’t be ignorant. Don’t assume that the youth are only interested in “rap culture and video games”.
Your a fool if you think that future of this country is not dependent on the youth relating to their politicians and having a vested interest in our leaders.
April 28th, 2009 at 8:05 am
All I can say is go and do some serious research on Helen Zille. You will be amazed.