Should we have Provincial Leaders??

[ches]

The thing about that is, realistically in SA that would mean 8 or 9 ANC candidates for president. That is stifling of opposition politics and undermines the leading party, which should be able to agree on leadership.

[Slug71]

True that, which is why the ANC will never go for something like that. Don't you think the opposition parties would like that since they could at least have a little 'Leadership role' if they won a Province? Surely the DA would win the Western Cape? And im not sure but the last time i read about politics in S.A it seemed the ID was prefered for the Eastern Cape.

[Skhotha]

I think the greatest challenge this micro federalism, if I may call it that, is that it would create many parties within the larger parties & stifle the smaller parties. I feel that it would keep the ID in the Cape sort of like let the Coloured rule themselves and the Whites etc etc. It would most likely divide the country then unify it under a better administration.

Am I high?

[ches]

The ANC won the majority vote in the western cape last time and the DA is (thankfully!) now in disarray. The DA set itself up to be a party of opposition, and as such is full of criticism but no practical solutions. The time is becoming ripe for the ANC to split in more-or-less half so that we can have healthy debate, strong opposition, and mature parties that represent the people.

The Mbeki/Zuma fiasco of the past year is an indication that sticking with the ANC "brand" for the sake of posterity does not benefit the country. When there is a strong split in ideology, let their be separate parties of people who love South Africa and want what is best for South Africa, but have different ideas of what that is. Open debate is far more fruitful and democratic than stifled party politics. Just like the UDF had to break up ahead of the elections in 1994, and just as Robert Sobukwe had to break off and form the PAC, it's time for Mr. Mbeki's capitalists to form their own party.

[Skhotha]

Dadewethu uChes, I too have foreseen the rebirth of the ANC. It is no longer a question of if but when. That will be the true test of the ANC. If we as the supporters are able to let other members make their own choice to differ we would have lived up to the African dream and the spirit of the African Renaissance where we can differ but not take up arms.

We mustn't forget that there has to be a changing of the guard. The skills required to free a country are not neccessarily the same as those required for running a country!

[Slug71]

Well said ches

[zulu_warrior]

I understand your guys point of view, however one I am having difficulty with is that Ches, you seem so happy that the DA is in disarray? That of course I'm guessing must be in direct contrast to ANC, who are so well organised? Yes you mentioned that it would be better for the nation to divide the party into two separate parties, and even though there would be many benefits to doing that, in the end the issue is not having two separate ANC parties, but one unified ANC party and a true opposition to ANC. Right now the only party that can be considered an opposition party is the DA. I feel the DA is a well run, well organised party that has long term goals and ideas that will benefit SA in the long run. I'm also guessing you feel Helen Zille is an inadequate leader? Please explain to me your point of view on this matter, as I'm actually interested to hear your point of view. The only way SA will become a proper democracy is if there are 2 parties that can properly oppose each other, and dividing the ANC into separate parties is not the key. Nelson Mandela has also reiterated the point that the ANC must unify in order to succeed.

I look forward to the day Mbeki is replaced as our President, because we are in desperate need for some proper hardline changes. I am in two minds about Zuma however. Yes he is Zulu , and I agree with some of his policies that he wants to change in order to make a significant difference, but then there are other statements and ideas that I do not agree with. I can not believe he continues to act like the ANC is a party derived from God or something close to it. ANC is not above the law, and they need to start realising that. If he is found guilty for his crimes, then he will need to take responsibilty for his actions. He is a citizen of SA just like the rest of us, and no one should get special treatment! On the plus side I feel we do need the death penalty and I really hope he does his best to implement this. Going to prison for criminals is hardly a punishment considering most live in worst conditions beforehand. We need to instil a sense of fear into the minds of any criminal, so that they know they have to deal with the ramifications of breaking the law. Yes we have been a divided nation for a long, long time, but we have made great inroads to form a united nation, which hopefully one day will fully blossom. Whites have controlled this nation for a long time, and did so in the most selfish and brutal manner, but we have risen up, and claimed equal rights that we as human beings deserve. However, we must now come together both as black and white and any other race, and form the nation where anyone who is South African is my brother or sister, no matter what the colour of your skin is. History paves the way for the future, and even though it is difficult to forget and forgive, we need to realise that the only way forward is together. Of course this takes time, for pain and suffering is felt through generations not just in individuals. We will only be united when the stories of past pain is forgotten, and that will only happen 2 or 3 generations down the line, and that is being optimistic.

For all the whites that feel they did no wrong, just be a bigger person and realise there were major faults in your thinking. If you never ask for forgiveness how can you ever expect it naturally? For all the rest of us that feel we are justified in thinking it is our time now, and they must be punished - think again! That is not the path to the future. Revenge is a living virus that will consume your very being. This is the way of our new era. The era when black and whites cheer together and sob together. We are a strong and powerful nation, yet our potential is lost in the anger and sadness. I wish all the people who have left for crime and employment reasons, to come back. We need all the skilled employees we can find. We need to sweep up our streets, to be proud of our massive achievements so far, and look optimistically that our future will bring out the rainbow after this massive storm.

The people that feel our nation is getting worse, they have a point in many ways. Mbeki has done nothing to control and minimise crime, done nothing (in fact made us a laughing stock in the eyes of the world) to prevent the spread of Aids, done hardly anything for the average poverty striken citizen, and done nothing to stop the tradegy that is Zimbabwe. I don't care what anyone says, including the French President - Nicolas Sarkozy, Mbeki has been an embarressment to South Africa in more ways than one. Jacob Zuma has publicy stated that a stronger stance on Zimbabwe should be taken, and I hope if he takes over that he will stay true to his word. Mugabe is a disgusting cockroach that should have been squashed a decade ago. Anyways I think I'm rambling on now, since theres so much to say! In hope I see a future, let that future be the hope I so greatly demand!