Golden opportunity to lose our albatross

OVER the past two to three years, the Cape Times has published numerous letters, articles, news items and editorials with some positive, some critical, some constructive and some negative comments on the socio-political environment in South Africa. During this period, all readers have read about Marikana and poor policing, questionable appointments under the umbrella of ever more illogical cadre incumbents, irrational cabinet shuffles, self-examination of sins by the sinners, like, for instance, Nkandla, student unrest and labour actions detrimental to state and self.

We have witnessed “Go George” buses torched in a protest by the taxi industry, fire being set to Metrorail coaches, schools burnt because of “anger” over proposed municipal mergers, homes in Hout Bay burnt (after the community was “nice”, ironically, to the more recent settlers).

We have seen Speaker Baleka Mbete steadfastly refusing a secret ballot (although. according to the Concourt, she is within her rights to allow a secret ballot).

We have seen how she has protected a president declared unworthy by all opposition parties, millions of ordinary South Africans and even some of the ANC elite.

The Cape Times has reported fairly on all these events – including cutting Rhodes’ nose to spite not only his face, but that of South Africans’ sensibilities and morality.

On August 8, all the above and many talk shows later, at last the mores of the ANC as expressed by Makhosi Khoza will hit the crucible, the melting pot.

What will emerge? Gold, silver, copper or a mass of molten and worthless rock?

Millions of South Africans will watch with bated breath: will we have a secret ballot, and if so, will some people with integrity vote to get a massively embarrassing, polarising and damaging obstacle removed? Ben Smit Melkbosstrand