ANC in power too long - Mbeki

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http://www.iol.co.za/business/opinion/anc-in-power-too-long-mbeki-1.1144298

South Africa was suffering from the “20-year itch” where its liberation party, the ANC, had been in power too long and was making a series of policy mistakes, political economist Moeletsi Mbeki said at the Cape Town Club at the weekend.

The brother of former president Thabo Mbeki said he had developed a reputation of being critical of the government, but he believed the country was not following the lead of its fellow Brics trade bloc countries – Brazil, Russia, India and China – but should in fact join those countries that were flirting with economic failure, the Piigs – Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain.

South Africa’s economic policies were driven by government and household consumption. Consumption made up about 70 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), while China spent only about 30 percent of GDP on consumption and savings levels were at 45 percent, about three times the savings rate in South Africa.

He emphasised that he was not pessimistic about the country as there were good people in opposition parties who could emulate other opposition parties in Africa, many of them built on a groundswell of civil protest, and look to eventually take power.

He pointed out that the Movement for Democratic Change in Zimbabwe started winning elections after 20 years of independence in Zimbabwe – even though Zanu-PF’s President Robert Mugabe had subsequently prevented the majority from taking power. The Patriotic Front had just peacefully ousted the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy in Zambia, the second change of government since independence in 1966.

The failure of the ANC was multi-faceted, he argued, but the electorate was beginning to recognise that it was failing to deliver and voting against it. It hit an electoral support peak of 70 percent in 2004, but was now just 12 points over 50 percent. Even Cope, which “doesn’t have a manifesto” and was wracked with leadership problems, drew 7 percent of the electorate in 2009.

While he did not mention the DA, Mbeki recently addressed an economic forum in Gauteng hosted by the official opposition, fuelling speculation that he may take up a leadership position in the party. Pressed on whether this was likely, he said he was a commentator and observer and did not hold these ambitions. He said instead: “South Africa does have alternatives to the ruling party… there are eight political parties in our Parliament.”

In the euphoria of the post-1994 democratic period, South Africa had opened up its trade markets under then trade and industry minister Trevor Manuel. It did so at the risk of losing millions of jobs. This in fact had happened, with the industrial base of the country declining.

South Africa had lived off the fruits of its mining industry, but infrastructure was breaking down. Richards Bay harbour, for example, had the capacity to handle 93 million tons of coal a year, but rail lines could only carry 63 million tons.

ANC politicians “realise that they will not be in power forever” and “are lining their pockets”, Mbeki said. He added that the party found itself unable to cope with the economic and social demands being placed on it. This translated into factionalism and in-fighting. - Business Report
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This dude should be president.:love:
 
Agreed, we just need a party that can actually stand up to them instead of pointing fingers and moaning all the time.
 
This coming from a guy who declared to the world there was no crime.

Rather have the anc in power than a party that can take them to the wire, that never ends well. In africa you need one dominant party or you will find the country in civil war. Yes i know that may seem like a stupid statement but it is backed up with many examples.
 
killadoob said:
This coming from a guy who declared to the world there was no crime.

Rather have the anc in power than a party that can take them to the wire, that never ends well. In africa you need one dominant party or you will find the country in civil war. Yes i know that may seem like a stupid statement but it is backed up with many examples.
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Huh ?

Moeletsi Mbeki said there is no crime ?

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BBSA said:
You did not notice the change in strategy from the DA in the last municipal election?
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Lol. The DA. The ANC will be in govt for a very long time if the DA is all SA can muster as an opposition.
 
DigitalSoldier said:
Huh ?

Moeletsi Mbeki said there is no crime ?

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Eish i missed the brother part. Here is a possibly stupid question but could a president run his full term then start a party win an election and run another full term?
 
zippy said:
Lol. The DA. The ANC will be in govt for a very long time if the DA is all SA can muster as an opposition.
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Idiotic statement.

The DA has really changed since the last election. They recently opened 2 more branches in Soweto.

I guess you wouldn't know it if your sitting in the UK.

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killadoob said:
This coming from a guy who declared to the world there was no crime.

Rather have the anc in power than a party that can take them to the wire, that never ends well. In africa you need one dominant party or you will find the country in civil war. Yes i know that may seem like a stupid statement but it is backed up with many examples.
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It's not Thabo Mbeki who's the object of discussion :p
 
zippy said:
Lol. The DA. The ANC will be in govt for a very long time if the DA is all SA can muster as an opposition.
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Strange that the DA has the best run province to show how terribly 'weak' they are. What have the ANC to show as proof of their success?
Read the article again, even ANC stalwarts are beginning to speak out on what a failure the ANC have become.
 
Now, if only his words could reach to masses of anc supporters, and actually force them to stop and think for themselves..
I'm not saying being an ANC supporter = no cognitive power.. Just that many voters aren't educated about the political and economic situation of the country.
 
killadoob said:
Eish i missed the brother part. Here is a possibly stupid question but could a president run his full term then start a party win an election and run another full term?
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I am not sure actually. Wonder if the law states that a person or the parties person elect can only be Big Chief for X amount of terms.

nakedpeanut said:
Now, if only his words could reach to masses of anc supporters, and actually force them to stop and think for themselves..
I'm not saying being an ANC supporter = no cognitive power.. Just that many voters aren't educated about the political and economic situation of the country.
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Sad thing is most of the masses get pissed off but come pre election drives they are soothed by the hand outs. This and the fact that they still see the alternatives as "white" parties :(
 
Devill said:
I am not sure actually. Wonder if the law states that a person or the parties person elect can only be Big Chief for X amount of terms.



Sad thing is most of the masses get pissed off but come pre election drives they are soothed by the hand outs. This and the fact that they still see the alternatives as "white" parties :(
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Well free shyte always wins the day i guess, ooooooooooooo look some food and a cheap 120 gram t-shirt o yea baby you got my vote. The next 4 years the person lives in their free shirt with no food wondering WTF just happened.

Come on gents can someone be president more than once and run two full terms if they change parties?
 
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