I Agree, Disagree with Helen Zille

It is not a mistake that I said I both agree and disagree with DA leader and leader of the opposition, Ms Helen Zille. It is is not a mistake again, to have put 'agree' first and 'disagree' second on my headline. I agree with her in the most parts of her article, however I definitely differ with her view that all blacks owe their loyalty to the ANC. I think this is completely outrageous of her. And I have to mention that every time I hear a white person, in his/ her criticism, trying to mention how blacks think or believe, especially when this is not a constructive criticism, it disgusts me. It is not because there is no logic in that but because in the scheme of things, with regard to our past experience as SA blacks, we do not need any more insensitive battering from a white man/ woman whatsoever. Sometimes it is not what has been done but how it was done that matters the most, and I hope someone educates her on that.

However I have to mention my liking of her style. Since being chosen to be the DA leader, Ms Zille has been outstanding in her leadership, characterised by impartiality, good judgement, honesty and proper non-personal opposition to the ANC. It was feared, and I honestly was among the frightened ones, that DA is continuously pushing an apartheid or 'white - slanted' agenda that only pushes for policies that are anti-poor. I still am not sure if this is completely untrue. However, I am truly impressed by her leadership and judgement.

My agreement to her is based on the facts she highlights that have recently characterized the ANC and its leadership style of the government. In her words: 'the ruling party is increasingly authoritarian, intolerant of criticism and hostile to the principles of an open society. It is, moreover, determined to extend party control over all institutions of the state and civil society.' How true this is!

I have watched with dismay the unfolding nominations of SABC board members. SABC board members are put into office by the government, it seems to me. In fact their boss is the 'big man', Mr Thabo Mbeki. They will however, 'somehow' be impartial in their broadcasting of current issues including a clear and impartial criticism of the government. What nonsense! 'Ubani obhadlile ekhandeni' in this world is about to believe that I will be appointed to a position, by my boss so that I can put him to account and possibly criticise him publicly?

And which fool in this world is about to believe that the president (or the so called ANC) won't put his yes-men on the board? Max du Preez in a recent article expressed my anger at this better, since I am not a writer by profession. I am in complete disagreement with the president choosing (or if you want to be politically correct 'approving') board members of the public broadcaster. I believe that Mbeki and the 'elitist' ANC must begin to come to their senses and remember that we the people pay them to manage OUR institutions and we want to be consulted properly on how the leaders of the institutions are chosen and how they will be run. We do not want the 'Mpofu's' running our public broadcaster. We do not want a monopolised South Africa(or rather South ANC Africa). That is not what we voted for. That is why the SABC's Mpofu, a man with a banana spine if he does have one, keep on insulting our intelligence saying that hey...hey 'we should not criticise Mr president or Manto disrespectfully'. Garbage, Mr Mpofu! Just to add a little bit: SABC looks rotten and not public broadcaster but a mouthpiece of 'Mbekized' ANC views. When I think about the whole thing I feel disgusted. What nonsense is this that is happening in SA! ANC SABC (seemingly managed by some party - aligned individuals), ANC madam speaker advancing ANC party interests and redefining the dictionary's definition of bad language, ANC NPA (Mbeki - appointed) apparently 'independent'.
Let me not digress much in trying to vent out my anger at this foolish SA mishaps. My main purpose of writing this article is that I believe that if there was ever a time when we neded a much stronger opposition it is now. I will definitely not vote for the giant called ANC either locally or nationally unless things change. I have been growing more and more disgusted at the conduct of ANC recently. I agree with Zille that ANC is becoming more and more authoritarian and I couldn't agree with her more that this is how dictatorship comes about.

To a stronger opposition, whether COSATU-SACP alliance or DA, we need one.