RISE Mzansi calls for serious and visionary leadership to achieve true freedom
RISE Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi urges action to build a free and prosperous South Africa.
Image: Independent Newspapers
As South Africans marked 31 years of democracy on Freedom Day, RISE Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi called for a renewed commitment to serious leadership and economic reform, warning that true freedom remains elusive for millions.
In a statement released on Saturday, Zibi said while Freedom Day honours the sacrifice of those who fought for democracy, the country still faces 'steep mountains to climb' before all citizens can experience real freedom.
'Apart from fundamental rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights, it is freedom from economic anxiety arising out of unemployment, poverty and inequality that millions deserve the most, but remains elusive,' he stated.
Zibi criticized successive governments for squandering public funds, urging a focus on economic growth to deliver living wages and rebuild confidence in the country's future.
'To achieve that goal, we are going to have to draw from the example and experience of past leaders who, under difficult circumstances, set aside personal sentiments and took tough decisions in the interest of a better future for all,' he said.
He emphasized that political leaders must resist the temptation of "playing to the gallery at each turn," warning that while such acts might attract headlines, they 'undermine confidence in one another and delay critical resolutions that will move South Africa forward.'
RISE Mzansi stressed that Parliament's immediate task is to adopt a revised Fiscal Framework to enable meaningful economic discussions.
'It is only in growing the economy that we can reduce the angst felt by South Africans, but we will only achieve it if we are willing to take and accept tough budget choices made in good faith,' Zibi said.
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She was aware of the challenges she would face working in the public sector, where corruption is endemic. Corruption is widespread in the public and private sectors, but not a single high-profile politician has been convicted. This is despite the Zondo commission and many other commissions having fingered senior leaders in government and in the state-owned enterprises, such as Eskom, for corruption. The bungled prosecutions of the Gupta brothers, Zizi Kodwa, and others have undermined the integrity and credibility of the NPA. The acquittal of Nigerian pastor, Timothy Omotoso, and the withdrawal of charges against Moroadi Cholota appear to have been the final straw for those calling for Batohi to step down. Like her predecessor, Shaun Abrahams, if Batohi does not resign, she risks being remembered as a lapdog. The recent court findings against the NPA add to a number of its spectacular failures. Zakhele Collison Ndlovu is a political analyst at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
