Election: Two things I felt like sharing

blunomore

blunomore

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1. As the results are coming in, it looks like an ANC victory. Seems the 2/3 majority has not been achieved yet; not sure if they will get it or not.

My point is this: We have had 4 elections now - 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2009. We work with local communities a lot and the poverty is terrible. To see it upfront is painful. To live it, must be soul-destroying. So I have had sympathy/empathy up to now. However, when some of these people who have had NONE of the promises made to them, kept and none of their lives improved, still decide to vote ANC, I start feeling that my sympathy is just a wasted emotion. Flame me for being a coldhearted bitch if you like, but it's hard to feel for someone who cannot see reality and act accordingly.

2. On a lighter, note, the ANCYL in one of the towns where we operate, called Mr Blu yesterday to ask for a donation from him in order for them to celebrate their victory. They win and then they go cap in hand to ask for donations?? Yo' dude, why don't you call Julius instead! :D
 
blunomore said:
1. As the results are coming in, it looks like an ANC victory. Seems the 2/3 majority has not been achieved yet; not sure if they will get it or not.

My point is this: We have had 4 elections now - 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2009. We work with local communities a lot and the poverty is terrible. To see it upfront is painful. To live it, must be soul-destroying. So I have had sympathy/empathy up to now. However, when some of these people who have had NONE of the promises made to them, kept and none of their lives improved, still decide to vote ANC, I start feeling that my sympathy is just a wasted emotion. Flame me for being a coldhearted bitch if you like, but it's hard to feel for someone who cannot see reality and act accordingly.

2. On a lighter, note, the ANCYL in one of the towns where we operate, called Mr Blu yesterday to ask for a donation from him in order for them to celebrate their victory. They win and then they go cap in hand to ask for donations?? Yo' dude, why don't you call Julius instead! :D
Click to expand...

1. I understand the frustration
2. ****ing typical :D
 
Well pointed out Blue.

Sadly, when the women of the world become cold hearted, tolerance fails, replaced by a firm resolution that, when challenged, results in anger.
Anger leads to violence, and violence to unrest.

Perhaps it is time.
 
Reminds of the protesters yesterday that refused to vote. The fact that you can actually vote for another party simply does not register in the mindset.
 
Sadly it looks like most of the black voters are still enamored with liberation politics. Might be some time yet till we have a properly functioning democracy... but it does seem like we're slowly getting there.
 
It boggles my mind that the poorest, struggling, masses are still gullible enough to support the party that is running SA into the ground, a la Zim. How do we turn that tide, somehow, I wonder?
 
Education is a large factor.
I think I am correct in saying that the Western Cape has the most educated population and hence the results. Although I may be slammed for saying that.
 
i think people here might fail to understand that while the ANC has fallen very short, for the majority of South Africans (let's read blacks), their lives are better than before the ANC came into power.

I think it is far easier for the MyBB population to complain about lack of forward movement because most of us here have always had access to the basics. Electricity and water in rural areas come to mind. Then look at things like grants which have improved for poor South Africans since the ANC came into power and you may begin to have an idea of why the vast majority, the ANC is a compelling choice.

It may grate the likes of you and I as we really get little return for the huge chunks of cash the government takes from us in taxes. but as i have said on a number of times, how we (MyBB) view the country is really not representative of the weaknesses and strengths the majority of South Africans have seen.
 
blunomore said:
1. As the results are coming in, it looks like an ANC victory. Seems the 2/3 majority has not been achieved yet; not sure if they will get it or not.

My point is this: We have had 4 elections now - 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2009. We work with local communities a lot and the poverty is terrible. To see it upfront is painful. To live it, must be soul-destroying. So I have had sympathy/empathy up to now. However, when some of these people who have had NONE of the promises made to them, kept and none of their lives improved, still decide to vote ANC, I start feeling that my sympathy is just a wasted emotion. Flame me for being a coldhearted bitch if you like, but it's hard to feel for someone who cannot see reality and act accordingly.
Click to expand...

I agree, eventually you have to start taking responsibility for your actions.
 
milomak said:
i think people here might fail to understand that while the ANC has fallen very short, for the majority of South Africans (let's read blacks), their lives are better than before the ANC came into power.

I think it is far easier for the MyBB population to complain about lack of forward movement because most of us here have always had access to the basics. Electricity and water in rural areas come to mind. Then look at things like grants which have improved for poor South Africans since the ANC came into power and you may begin to have an idea of why the vast majority, the ANC is a compelling choice.

It may grate the likes of you and I as we really get little return for the huge chunks of cash the government takes from us in taxes. but as i have said on a number of times, how we (MyBB) view the country is really not representative of the weaknesses and strengths the majority of South Africans have seen.
Click to expand...

Very well said milomak! It echoes exactly what the feeling on the ground is. They may not all have their RDP houses that they were promised but they still feel they have it better than they ever did under the old regime. A lot of the ANC supporters interviewed said they realise the ANC hasn't lived up to everything they promised but they are patient and will give them more time.

I was also watching a documentary on SA and they did a survey and it turns out majority are aware that the ANC have broken their promises and when asked why do you still vote ANC the answer was: Because they love us!
 
milomak said:
i think people here might fail to understand that while the ANC has fallen very short, for the majority of South Africans (let's read blacks), their lives are better than before the ANC came into power.

I think it is far easier for the MyBB population to complain about lack of forward movement because most of us here have always had access to the basics. Electricity and water in rural areas come to mind. Then look at things like grants which have improved for poor South Africans since the ANC came into power and you may begin to have an idea of why the vast majority, the ANC is a compelling choice.

It may grate the likes of you and I as we really get little return for the huge chunks of cash the government takes from us in taxes. but as i have said on a number of times, how we (MyBB) view the country is really not representative of the weaknesses and strengths the majority of South Africans have seen.
Click to expand...
True.
I wish that facts could also present a solution.
 
another thing that doesn't help is that the opposition parties seem to spend far too much time being anti-ANC rather than convincing people of how they will change South Africa for the better.
 
milomak said:
i think people here might fail to understand that while the ANC has fallen very short, for the majority of South Africans (let's read blacks), their lives are better than before the ANC came into power.

I think it is far easier for the MyBB population to complain about lack of forward movement because most of us here have always had access to the basics. Electricity and water in rural areas come to mind. Then look at things like grants which have improved for poor South Africans since the ANC came into power and you may begin to have an idea of why the vast majority, the ANC is a compelling choice.

It may grate the likes of you and I as we really get little return for the huge chunks of cash the government takes from us in taxes. but as i have said on a number of times, how we (MyBB) view the country is really not representative of the weaknesses and strengths the majority of South Africans have seen.
Click to expand...

True and if they're happy with the ANC then that's their choice but don't complain about the lack of service delivery etc. and still vote ANC.
 
Yes it is a bad thing when you are trying to reach the masses. And when i say better than everyone else i am not meaning the other parties. I am meaning the man in the street.

Why would a black woman/man from a rural area vote for the DA, alongside a white man/woman who openly says they think you are stupid.
 
Serqet said:
Yes it is a bad thing when you are trying to reach the masses. And when i say better than everyone else i am not meaning the other parties. I am meaning the man in the street.

Why would a black woman/man from a rural area vote for the DA, alongside a white man/woman who openly says they think you are stupid.
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Well if they were voting for the DA they'd no longer be stupid. :D I understand your point though, its just hard to develop a party that appeals to everyone.
 
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