I am surprised I do not hear of any nominations for the Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to become the president of the ANC after all the xenophobic workouts that kept him busy and propelled him suddenly into the headlines in the past few months.
But then again that is not unexpected regarding the ANC cadre of today. These so-called leaders sleep the term, only to wake up a few months before an election with exaggerated little details of little importance. And if they are not sleeping, they are either shocked or rushing to scenes, and this is the highest standard of service delivery and governance.
Think of the transport minister who waited until a few months before an elective conference to announce the big news that the department responsible for “constructing” roads will now strive with all its might to repair potholes, and that identifying ghost workers is a fulfilment of a mandate and election promises.
Then the energy minister and his president came up with the brilliant strategy of simply placing a white person before a severely complex energy problem and load shedding.
So meticulous are these ANC cadres that they spend a good deal of time reading the newspapers and identifying threats to their political status, that a legendary sports presenter like Robert Marawa, who built his career without political help, was ruthlessly put aside as a lesson for upsetting politicians.
Motsoaledi too probably thought this was the best way to be relevant, as he suddenly became a hero for xenophobic sentiments and actions.
Meantime, he neglected the vast role of oversight in his department which resulted in a shameful bill going before Parliament. Not surprising, because an acceptable and constitutionally sound bill would require a lot of work, away from the headlines.
Now South Africa faces a constitutional crisis because the politicians have betrayed our nation by setting up a stupid bill aimed at frustrating independent candidates. If Motsoaledi had focused on the mechanics of Home Affairs instead of xenophobia he would have had the time to design a good bill.
Moreover, Home Affairs would not need his errant and attentionseeking visits and “best selfspokesperson” tendencies, as those already employed would simply do their tasks. We are led by dangerous clowns who are far from funny because busybodies, without ideas and combined with idle hands, are the factories of evil.
* Khotso KD Moleko Mangaung, Bloemfontein.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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