The Painful Ramifications of the South African Democracy
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The Painful Ramifications of the South African Democracy
On certain occasions in your life, you reach a stage where you face the proverbial rubicon, and irrespective of the consequences, you have to stand bold and address issues or aspects, however uncomfortable or excruciatingly offensive it might sound to the listener or reader, but for the sake of possible resolve and honesty, you have to do it!
This work is precisely that..., it is a perspective of an ordinary South African who has not only witnessed and experienced the painful effects of the apartheid system, but who has equally also witnessed the dawn of the new democracy, the euphoria of freedom and equality, and the ostensible deficiencies in the system and the ridiculous consequences.
It gives an overview of various aspects in our democratic order which, should be known and of concern to the leaders of our nation, but for various reasons, and particularly because of its sensitivity, is rather disregarded or, for the sake of peace as opposed to justice, left in the “chambers of silence”. The issues canvassed herein, are necessary for the enhancement of our democracy, and should be discussed with transparency. In certain instances, it requires the “stepping on the toes” of certain individuals as examples in order to clarify certain aspects which remain as yet unanswered.
Many of the aspects dealt with in this work, are generally known or even thought about, but unfortunately not discussed on public platforms due to its sensitivity. It is also an attempt to vocalize the unheard cries of the silent majority.
If it is the truth, it should be uttered even in the face of animosity and rejection.
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The Painful Ramifications of the South African Democracy - Graehýmme J. Williams
The Painful Ramifications of the
South African Democracy
The Painful Ramifications of the
South African Democracy
The perspective of an ordinary citizen
Graehýmme J. Williams
Copyright © 2016 Graehýmme J. Williams
Published by Graehýmme J. Williams at Smashwords
First edition 2016
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.
The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.
Published by Author using Reach Publishers’ services,
P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631
Printed and bound by Novus Print Solutions
Edited by Frankie Kartun for Reach Publishers
Cover designed by Reach Publishers
Website: www.reachpublishers.co.za
E-mail: [email protected]
I should indeed speak the truth… even if the foundations of the earth are to give way under me!!
Dedication And Acknowledgements
This work is dedicated to my late father and mother, Joseph and Maggie Williams, who suffered tremendous trauma and, at that stage, humiliation because of and during my arrest and detention, but who chose to support me irrespective of the rejecting and humiliating conduct of the Security Branch of the South Police Service and the branding of their son as a terrorist, and to my brother, Terence, and sisters, Daphne and Ingrid, who were all under close scrutiny because of my involvement in The Struggle, and the parents of Die Valley
, Hope Street, Mossel Bay, who all formed a barrier of support for my family during those times. And not to forget, my wife, Charlene, for providing an ear when I needed to discuss and exchange views and ideas, and who has been so supportive, insightful and a source of encouragement to me to undertake this work, as well as for being so patient with my absence - mental and physical - during that period.
Introduction
It was indeed a hopeful nation that looked forward, with great expectation and excitement, to the rising tide of The Liberation as it was clear, according to the motto of the ANC at that stage, that it would, indeed, and after all, bring about a better life for all. The ANC, as we have witnessed, achieved a landslide victory and there was, for the previously disenfranchised, no other option but to vote for the ANC in the first ever Democratic Elections in South Africa.
No one questioned the delegated representatives in the local councils, or the provincial and national legislature, and the ostensible decision, at that stage, was primarily based on popularity, vis-a-vis more stringent requirements such as personal education, experience, integrity and the capacity to act independently and with boldness, in order to realise the objectives of our people and communities. This trend continued over the years and one clear example of this was the election of Mr Jacob Zuma as the President of the Republic of South Africa. 1. It is clear that Mr Zuma was elected purely on popularity, as opposed to all the other qualities and qualifications expected of a leader of a nation.
Many people had made tremendous sacrifices in order to bring about the liberation of our nation and, unfortunately, countless numbers of those people are still locked in the same situation as they were before the dawn of Democracy on South Africa, except for the fact that they now have the right to vote. Many of them currently find themselves still lacking what was called a better life for all...
and they have reached the stage where they are, in fact and without fear anymore, articulating their dissatisfaction with what was, in effect, their political home - the ANC, and the very leaders who were once their idols.
Mr Niclo Pedro², during a speech at a service of the Diocesan Synod of the Diocese of George of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, i.e. on 16 June 2016, ³, stated during the course that he had been cadre of Umkhonto we Sizwe in the 1980’s and, during his school years in Mossel Bay, he had visited different areas in Mossel Bay, where he had witnessed such suffering and poverty that those factors had caused him to become involved in political activism and eventually the Armed Struggle for the liberation of our people.³ Unfortunately, upon returning to Mossel Bay after some years and revisiting those communities, he had discovered, with utter pain, that the physical circumstances of those people were still the same; they were still suffering and having to endure the same struggles as they had during Apartheid, i.e. unemployment, poverty, neglected circumstances and environments. The question he therefore asked himself was, ˝What,