The ANC election manifesto was released in East London, South Africa on Saturday last week. The central initiative of the plan appears to be economic policy geared around job protection and creation rather than foreign investment. Some bankers and investors are already shaking in their boots with concern over the role of the Reserve Bank in South Africa going forward under this scenario. Currently, the Reserve Bank’s primary mandate in SA is inflation targeting. If the SARB independence is lost to political motivation, the long term effect could be disasterous for South Africa. Obviously the short term effect of such a decision for the ruling ANC party in the upcoming election is much more prosperous.
Amongst a host of other expensive promises outlined in the manifesto is the promise of the ANC to do what they had the last 15 years to do. This includes addressing the needs of rural South Africa. The ANC claims to be committed to rural development through the provision of land, loans and training for the poor, subsidised housing, rural sanitation programmes and a review of the current land redistribution programme. For those originally from Zimbabwe, these promises may sound quite familiar.
But have no fear, Mr Zuma has also committed firmly to stamp out corruption in South African government. Mr Zuma will hear the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal today. If he loses against the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) appeal, it is likely that Mr Zuma will be recharged.
Will ANC live up to their election promises?
ANC has done what they could with what they had at that time.Much apreciated! However, going forward we are going to require the ANC to evolve from “comradeship” to “capabilityship” and being able to see thing for what they really are. Late last year I actually thought that for the 1st time ANC will have a credible opponent but after last night I really doubt that. Currently in South Africa we do not have a party that is capable of de-throning the ANC and do a better job.
People should vote COPE even if they don’t like it. Their purpose should be to topple the ANC majority. Nothing else.
It all sounds way too familiar to me… make the change while you can South Africa.
Drake, then let the ANC dethrone itself for it has earned enough points to recuse themselves.
Nda – good to see you back here. Drake you’re right about the need for the ANC to evolve from revolutionaries to capable administrators. Politically, 15 years in power is a sizeable chunk of time to effect this transition. If South Africa is to be a true democracy, voters need to hold the current leadership accountable and be willing to give another set of leaders a chance to deliver while the ANC figures out how to make the transition. Having the ANC go through their transition learning curve at the expense of South Africans will benefit neither the voters nor our country. Don’t get me wrong Drake, I think the ANC is an incredible organisation but I also believe they need a kick up their backsides to get them back on track to be a government of the people. There is nothing better to achieve that kick than an election upset – as James suggests, we need the change to improve the country.
I THINK WHAT THE ANC HAVE ACHIEVE DURING THISE PASSED YEARS IS SO CREAT TO BE IN THE POINT THE ANC IS THE ONLY PARTY THAT CAN CHANGE THE LIFE OF POOR SA.
If people vote for COPE they are voting for the ex ANC members that were in power and did nothing, these people did not care about the lives of our people Better Life For All meant better life for them. Why dont we give the new leadership of the ANC a chance. Im a proud ANC member but Im begging you people you can vote for any party but not COPE!
ANC HAS DONE BETTER BUT NOT ENOUGH.ONETHINH FORSURE IS ANC IS THE ONLY PATY THAT IS TRIYING TO CHANCHE THE LIFE OF POOR S.A.WHILE THINGS CAN’T BE DONE AT ONCE IT NEEDS MORE TIME TOBE FIXED.I JUST HOPE THAT FROM NOW THISE PARTY HAV LEARN A LOT FROM ITS FAILURE.