South African Blacks Questioning Old Political Alliances
The rumblings of income inequality and unemployment have been reverberating around the country since President Obama's election. These cries are growing louder in South Africa where the longstanding African national congress is on the hot seat. The ANC has failed to close the wealth gap between rich and poor as promised and empowerment programs have failed to do the trick. Complaints of corruption have dogged President Jacob Zuma after Government watchdog The Public Protector reported that $23 million in taxpayer money had been spent to upgrade his childhood home. The miners unions, which has been a loyal base for the ANC is beginning to weaken. "why would I bother wearing one of these ANC T-shirts?" asked unemployed 22 year old Tirelo Kaledi when he was offered a T-shirt with the face of Mr. Zuma. "I'm tired of them making promises and not delivering to the rest of us".
Similar to the democrats in America, the ANC has a firm grip on the black vote due to its role in the Freedom movement. Although in the US, that role for the democrats is more perception than reality. There is mounting resentment toward the ANC as some view it as a party that benefits the well connected few (sound familiar?) Roughly 10-12% of blacks in the U.S. are conservatives. In South Africa, the concept of small government is non-existent. Due to the brutal history of blacks there, it has created sympathy for socialism among most black South Africans. The ANC itself is a member of the Socialist International, a worldwide organization of political parties which seeks to establish Democratic Socialism. As in other countries like Argentina,Venezuela, and south Africa's neighbor to the north Zimbabwe, socialism does not produce great results. Government will ultimately fail to meet the needs of the people to be prosperous and free.
In spite of the ANC's heroism in during the apartied era, some are beginning to question their allegiance. Mbulelo Magula, a striking minor who proudly voted for Mandela in 1994, says he will not vote for the ANC anymore. "look at where the President lives and where we live?" he said. "the government isn't doing anything for us?" Here in America, they've done enough.
Similar to the democrats in America, the ANC has a firm grip on the black vote due to its role in the Freedom movement. Although in the US, that role for the democrats is more perception than reality. There is mounting resentment toward the ANC as some view it as a party that benefits the well connected few (sound familiar?) Roughly 10-12% of blacks in the U.S. are conservatives. In South Africa, the concept of small government is non-existent. Due to the brutal history of blacks there, it has created sympathy for socialism among most black South Africans. The ANC itself is a member of the Socialist International, a worldwide organization of political parties which seeks to establish Democratic Socialism. As in other countries like Argentina,Venezuela, and south Africa's neighbor to the north Zimbabwe, socialism does not produce great results. Government will ultimately fail to meet the needs of the people to be prosperous and free.
In spite of the ANC's heroism in during the apartied era, some are beginning to question their allegiance. Mbulelo Magula, a striking minor who proudly voted for Mandela in 1994, says he will not vote for the ANC anymore. "look at where the President lives and where we live?" he said. "the government isn't doing anything for us?" Here in America, they've done enough.
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