Last week I told you about a definite shift in our political landscape.
It seems that we may be at the beginning of a new type of politics.
Mathews Phosa – one of the five eyeing Jacob Zuma’s job – believes we are moving towards a mature democracy of alliance partners and coalition politics.
The establishment of the “Freedom Movement” is almost proof of this. Specifically brought to life to unseat President Zuma, it’s an interesting development, as it sees several movements that generally don’t sit around the same campfire, working together towards this one goal.
It seems there’s some truth to the wartime saying that my enemy’s enemy is my friend.
Last week, there was even more proof, as yet another, more intellectual group had its first get-together.
Eight foundations of some of our country’s moral giants joined forces to discuss our current mess and the way forward.
Former presidents FW de Klerk, Kgalema Motlanthe Thabo Mbeki and former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka were all involved.
Now if that isn’t a slap in the face for Zuma, then I don’t know what is.
The fact that his predecessors think there’s a reason to discuss the country’s welfare under his watch, must surely tick him off just a little.
And the fact that these aren’t just any old somebodies, but rather people who command massive respect, must be cause for concern.
A lot was said, and afterwards these diplomats were all very nice about the current regime, requiring some serious between the lines reading.
I wish they would just come out and say it: “The country is in a mess and the future is at risk. As elders, we are here to provide sanity, order and guidance.”
The mere fact that they sat down together gives us some.
Foundations that carry the iconic names of Robert Sobukwe Helen Suzman Jakes Gerwel, Chief Albert Luthuli, as well as Desmond and Leah Tutu, are with us.
There may very well be something to the idea of a South Africa governed by coalition politics.
The most memorable quote of the meeting came from Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Emphasising that politicians shouldn’t get anything extra for simply doing their jobs, she said: “ we cannot reward a fish for swimming”.
There are many people in government and who run our State-owned Companies who, I hope, choked on their lunch or at least got a pang of guilt when they heard this.
Because for them, there’s clearly nothing wrong with giving themselves massive pay hikes and incentive bonuses for doing nothing more than their jobs.
While it took them long enough to stand up and be counted, we should all be very encouraged that these two groups even exist.
Even if nothing comes of it, their existence is a massive leap in the right direction.
I know the EFF disagrees with De Klerk’s presence and caused disruptions again, but mense do admire and respect him.
And having him on board, means they are on board.
Because it’s about time that at least some of our politicians learn the value in the quote: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success!”