Bheki’s Ordinary People: Tshwane mayhem

Mann Maans, 47, Schweizer-Reneke, North West

“It was only a matter of time before the ANC migraines affected the whole country. The ANC is marred by factionalism and members are eating one another. And the ANC not only eat one another in Tshwane, but the whole country. That’s the kind of damage that ANC systems encourage.

“Perhaps this is what the great ANC expects the rest of us to do – eat one another. They are teaching all and sundry that the only way to overcome challenges is to apply violence. It’s a rotten system of preferences, factional battles, cadre deployment, and it’s destroying the country at rapid speed. The ANC has undermined the voices of the highest court of law, now it’s undermining its own people and all the people of South Africa.

“The ‘Thoko should be there because she can’ attitude further undermines our democracy. If the end product of the ANC role in the Tshwane chaos is to garner support for the party, I say what a cruel way of seeking someone’s vote.

“The cheap political spinning is no longer working. It’s an insult to our reason to say the rioters are thugs because we all know they are ANC members. The ANC should take full responsibility for all this. They are the authors of this unnecessary pre-election mayhem.”

Nthabiseng Waga Makua, 32, Johannesburg

“In 1994 we voted for democracy in South Africa, but the very same government we voted for oppresses the people, even more than the apartheid government used to do. And what is happening in Tshwane is a sign of a very frustrated people. The ANC government should, in the spirit of democracy, not dictate to the people of this country. Let the people choose what they want and who they think is fit to lead them. And if the people of Tshwane think that Thoko Didiza is no good, then let them elect whoever they believe is fit to lead them."

Lerato Khunou, 19, Soweto

“No, it’s not right. Even in Soweto we are encouraged to elect our own councillors. But it’s not correct for the government to decide who leads the people. It’s not correct because it goes against the principles of democracy that encourages that the people govern. I acknowledge the good the ANC has done in parts of the country, but now all that credibility has been overwhelmed by big, big problems.

“Voting (for) other parties is the best punishment. It will give the ANC a wake-up call. The ANC is split, they no longer listen to one another, it’s like they don’t exist any more. They should work together to rebuild the party, but in the meantime it wouldn’t be such a bad idea if another party were to be elected. Even if it is for one day because, like I’m still saying, that would be a wake-up call.”

Sindi Nkwanyana, 28, Nkandla

“I think criminals have seized the opportunity and are using the riots as a mode to advance their criminal intentions. People should protest peacefully when voicing their genuine concerns. Why should they destroy the very same stuff that they need in their daily lives? They damage property and turn around to claim that the government is not helping them.

“I think it’s barbaric and inhuman to destroy your own property, people should vent their anger at the government they are not happy with. At the end the rioters themselves become losers and the rest of the people suffer. Government wilfully deploys cadres in higher positions of power regardless of whether or not the people disagree. That is our democracy.”

Muthusi Ramufhufhi, 21, Soweto

“People can complain about leadership the way they want to. What are they doing to fix the problem? This is the 21st century. A few rules have to be broken sometimes to achieve the desired result.

“If we cannot be daring in what we want as a people, then leaders will decide for us. I still believe that what the people of Pretoria are doing is not correct because residents can’t go to school or work. How are the people of Pretoria expected to deal with Thoko Didiza when they have not elected her?

“What this all means is that they have no say, yet we say we live in a democratic country. This cadre deployment is like a ‘nominate-a-friend’ scheme that does not benefit many people, because very few people are connected to the top. I don’t blame the rioters because it’s evident that they are acting on the back of a disjointed, poorly-led ANC.”

Shaazia Ebrahim, 22, Marlboro Gardens

“To be honest with you I think what’s going on in Tshwane is a symptom of a much bigger issue. Even though democratic principles and people’s choices of who they want to elect mayor, I still think there are other forces at play here.

“For me the reason Tshwane is burning is simple. The electorate is fed up of being taken for granted by the ANC. The electorate is fed up with the ANC’s arrogance. Imagine that it must be extremely empowering to have politicians like Paul Mashatile, who essentially plead with citizens to accept their decision and stop the destruction, and to be defied by the people the way they have done in the past 48 hours.

“I think the issue with the mayor was the final straw that broke the camel’s back. The ANC have forgotten their promise to respect democratic processes, uplift the masses and create better living and working conditions. We are still waiting for them to remember.”

Mawethu Nkosana, 26, Johannesburg

“Participatory democracy encourages active citizenry in all state matters. Democracy advocates a free and fair election of leaders, on the basis of the majority, and this does not seem to apply in our beloved country.

“The core principles of democracy have been gravely violated again with the nomination of Thoko Didiza as Tshwane mayor. The citizens’ rights to determine by whom they want to be led have also been violated. Every discussion about the ANC has been synonymous with corruption, moral decay etc. The people are clearly revolting against an injustice that will no doubt affect their lives for an entire term of mayoral incumbency.

“Burning institutions and private property seems to be the only way to get the government to listen, and rage knows no space. The people are speaking and historical militancy is coming back to haunt the ANC.” DM

Main Photo: The remains of a burnt out truck in the streets of Atteridgeville after residents angry with the naming of Thoko Didiza as the ANC's Tshwane mayoral candidate protested overnight, Pretoria, South Africa, 21 June 2016. EPA/IHSAAN HAFFEJEE.