Welcome to The Real ANC Today.
This weblog is designed to host analysis and comment produced by the Democratic Alliance (DA), the purpose of which is to better understand, primarily, the politics and personalities of the African National Congress (ANC) – the ruling party in South Africa – but also the broader political landscape. We also aim to provide some insights into the DA’s alternative, epitomised by its vision of an Open Opportunity Society for All.
In many ways, The Real ANC Today is also designed to serve as a counterweight to the ANC’s own weekly publication, ‘ANC Today’ – in other words, it is meant to provide an alternative to, and analysis of, the ruling party’s paradigm, which is often accepted as a given rather than a point of contention.
Our weblog is designed to be interactive and we encourage you to submit your comments and thoughts at the end of each article. To subscribe to the newsletter or to an RSS Feed, simply click on the link on the front page.
The site is edited by Gareth van Onselen, the DA’s Executive Director of Communications, based in Parliament.
Gareth can be contacted at the following e-mail address: Gareth at da dot org dot za.
I am not member of any political party, but don’t you think you would/could have found yourselves something better worth doing than always of the neck of the aANC?
If you can’t study and read your opponent, you won’t be able to be a step ahead, counter or defeat him. It applies in boxing, in state intelligence and its good practice.
Thanks for the support Vus’umuzi.
Gareth
The recent downfall of the ANC in these past By-Elections of the 10th of December 2008 represents a literal show that the time has ended for the ANC’s attitute of arrogance and self determination of governing forever “till Jesus comes”. The DA’s new offer to the people of South Africa show serious reception from those constituents who previously never turned their eyes to the DA or any opposition party. We have now reached the exciting times of the history of the democratIc South Africa. And it remains the task of every individual South African to drive the change for the better because the senior leadership of the DA cannot do it alone but through the efforts of all of us.
A recent visit to Cape Town highlighted everything that’s right with the DA-led administration of that city and everything that’s wrong with Joburg, our so-called “world-class African city”. Slogans are all very well, but to be real and relevant, they need to be backed up by a PROVEN and visible reality.
In Joburg, our streets are filthy, overgrown with weeds and litter everywhere. Corruption is rife – from the Metro police leaning in to car windows to collect their bribes to city officials handing out jobs and contracts to cronies who are unable to deliver services or fill the roles the are appointed to do.
When shacks in an informal settlement burnt down over Xmas, the DA council in Cape Town delivered building materials to enable the residents to rebuild their homes – as poor as they may be. Here in Joburg, the council cannot be bothered to deliver even the most rudimentary housing, water or sanitation to informal settlers in Kya Sands and other places. Yet we are the richest city in the country!!
I look forward to the election when the DA will show the electorate how to govern at provincial level and really deliver services to ALL our people. It is also worth remembering that while the ANC was stalling on rolling out ARV treatment for AIDS – and causing thousands of people to die needlessly, the DA in the Western Cape (before floor crossing robbed it of that government) was issuing ARVs to AIDS patients in WCape hospitals
Talk is cheap – instead of the ANC’s “end to poverty”, “jobs for all”, and “houses for all”, people get a t-shirt and peak cap – while unemployment rises, health and education services decline – and they ask for your vote AGAIN. Why should the people of SA believe that they really care about the poor?
The DA has shown that they deliver at local level – after the election, they can prove it at provincial too.
Well – Akanyang Merementsi, you are an ANC supporter it is obvious – and it is good that they are looked into because the ANC is not interested in the People of SA it is only interested in itself and own party cadres – wake up they have not done anything positive for the last 5 years
Actually, I’m no political party supporter and my blog, if you read it, can tell a lot.
However, this is not about one supporting, or being a member of a political party – but about what is good for ‘alternative’ political parties.
In fact, i’m surprised that political parties, except ANC, in South Africa, call themselves ‘opposition parties’.
Is not that really ‘opposing’ by its definition?
Just out of curiosity, what gurantee do we have that you and the entire DA’s not ‘interested in itself and own party cadres’?
You may as well be the same, or not?
And what exactly can you point to which you have done ” positive for the last 5 years”?
What a joke of a websire that is why we will never have a serious opposition party all they do is obssess about the ANC, what you not realising that you are in turn promoting the ANC’s weekly letter titled ANC today, cant you at least try to be more creative and show us what you made off and not just the ANC’s percieved failures, because you might see them as failures but clearly the electorates is not seeing them as failures. The ANC has achieved a lot in the last 15 years and working together with the people it can do more.
ANC lives and ANC leads!!!
Just want to congratulate the DA on such a great job and for continuing to carry on committing to the people of South Afirca and not making empty promises.
It makes me so proud to hear how well Cape Town is doing compared to the rest of the country and we really have one Person to thank for that.
I hope from all this that has been done in our province will finally prove to the rest of the Country that the DA is committed and wants to make a difference for all South Africans – unlike some people – who spend Millions on Cars and Holidays!
I question Zuma’s Christianity. I do not see any of the leadership qualities demanded of a Christian leader in Zuma, to quote from the Bible, these are: “must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect”. As a Christian I could not stand up and sing “bring me my machine gun”, what sort of example is that to the young people today. I am definately supporting the DA as they are our “government of the people”.
Mfundo, this is exactly the attitude of the ANC. You people need to stop being so arrogant and you really need to listen. Had the ANC LISTENED 15 years ago, the DA wouldn’t have to introduce things like “the Real ANC Today”. Instead, the ANC relies on the naivety and fear (of previously disadvantaged peoples) of change and a completely new government to rule the country. The ANC always completely disregards the outcries of the people and like to do thier own thing, in the name of “freedom”. Not to take freedom for granted, but really, I’m 18 years old and have looked up to the ANC for as long as I started to understand politics. This year, for the very first time, I will vote – but NOT for the ANC. They have let me down and I will not trust them with my vote. These are not “percieved failures”, these are UTTER, DISGRACEFUL, DISMAL FAILURES. Arrogance makes you blind to the things you need to see. This electronic publication of the DA’s of “The Real ANC Today” has made my decision final – that I am NOT voting for the ANC and am, in fact, voting for the DA. ANC used to lead, now it just merely dominates. I do have a fear of how effective my vote will be, being a resident of KwaZulu Natal and a student in the University of KwaZulu Natal, but I have a duty to excersize my right to vote and I know my vote can contribute to “the long walk to Change”. “The long walk to Freedom” has been achieved by the ANC, but I’m afraid they have not been able to achieve anything substantial beyond that. DA will live on and DA shall lead.
I am concerned because of the standard of discision making when it comes to voting.
Specially in the rural areas where most people have limited contact through radios only.
Again the big radio stations failed to be of value to everyone in the sence that they could train a big majority poeple about the important knowledge of politics for example what includes a fair democracy, or what happens if the Legal System is undermined, or what is annargy.
If people would be trained through a radio source then voting will be a different story I guess
To the ANC and other greedy subjects out there please take note of the following:
Real life does not mean having the most money , or the biggest car or the biggest position at work owned without working for it in a honest and hard way.
For example if you learn to play soccer and happen to achieve 70% marks for theory you are not equal and it does not mean you can play soccer because only experience will do the thing.
How do peolple think people wil have respect for others if they take from others which does not belong to them.
Everybody cannot just do what they like. If the Legal system is run down without respect how do you think you or your children will be protected for what they earn fairly and achied with responcibility. We cannot hold others responcible for our mishaps like those of Carl Niehauss and blame other for it.
You yourselve are responcible for what you are.
Yes you study your opponent but you do’nt publish it on the website for your opponent to notice what weaknesses to work on. This is like a coach of an opposition team publishing his/her analysis of the opposition in the media. This cannot be justified. This will only be useful to the people who are already DA supporters or may be new people who are not members or supporters of any party. No loyal member or supporter of any party worth their salt will rely on the analysis made by the rival party. Your analysis will obviously be biased.
To say I am shocked will be putting it mildly! What is it with the ANC occupying such a prominent space on the DA website, and even having its own “ANC TODAY” section? I fail to see how “knowing your opposition” makes this relevant. I can’t believe this. Perhaps what the DA needs to do is go down to grass roots people and understand their plight, mindsets and needs, and stop canvassing for votes on websites. People do not trust the DA because it has not proven that it has their best interests at heart.
The DA consistently brands itself as a party for the rich white minority and that stigma is going to work to your disadvantage for decades to come. We need a serious alternative to the ANC but unfortunately DA is just not that. No wonder the ANC will keep running away with votes in every elections, their oppositions are playing games and shooting blanks all the time.
I would like to contribute to reducing the ANC’s two thirds parliament majority, but not by voting DA. You need a serious party overhaul.
It amuses me to see that each and every party hammering on the other, sure this is politics, but hey people you all are voted into your respective jobs to do a job and that should firstly be to serve your country not only your voters. Surely the time you all spend with finding nitty gritty things to say about your opponents would be much better invested in tackling the problems at hand, instead really all of you (I mean all parties) are wasting time, money on crap. If JZ has to face the court room so be it and I still do have some trust in our constitution that it will be the case whatever the outcome will be, although I must strongly agree with Mrs. Zille when she “demands” that JZ should set aside his political ambitions and first face the “music” that’s waiting for him, in any other democracy it is common practice to act responsibly and first to get your name cleared before embarking on a what looks like a personal only motivated and powertrip…again though SA has severe issues to deal with, all should have a look at themselves and ask do I deserve to be in the position I am and do I serve my country.
Like Kennedy said: “Don’t ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”!
The DA drives me crazy. Some of their statements just come across as whiny and I have to say, there’s even an air of racism sometimes. But yet I still have hope, if only because of Helen Zille’s track record.
Vote to Win?? (win what, 2 more seats)??? Or should people vote so that together they can do more… crime? My goodness.
Just want to confirm that I, Tobie Louw, is not the same Tobie Louw as the one who wrote the other stories under the same name, as displayed here. Dont necessarily disagree with him either.
I like this counter weight A LOT. Keep up the good work!
Sello, we also canvas in the streets of Thlabane I have made many good friends there, and you know what? I’m not black. You say we need a party overhaul, so please make a few suggestions. What would you like to change about our party?
In any other country in the world a person like JZ running for President would just be a National Joke.
Imagine Coco the clown running for President. We had better prey hard the ANC do not come to power again this time around as they will immediately change all the legislation to suit themselves and ensure they stay in control for ever. Exactly what Mugabe did in Zim. If the majority of South Africans are so blind they cannot see what irresponsible corrupt people the ANC employ then they deserve everything they will get if they bring them back again. God help us.
Come on people, be realistic, Jacob Zuma, according to his followers is a messiah, and he is sufferring like the christian messiah did suffer(according to them). So the next logical step to happen is that he must be crucified! Shame, poor Jacob, what a anticlimax that will be!
History always repeats itself
Zuma will rule forever. He is a brilliant leader and a people’s driven president
What a shame, youve even dedicated a website attacking the ANC, just goes to show how pathetic the DA is, that why I will never ever support you, you should be concentrating on growing your party instead of being preoccupied with what the ANC does. We are on to your patronising post-colonialist attitude, you still believe black people are unable to lead themselves, they need whites. That’s why you dodn’t have faith in your own black leaders, case in point Joe Seremane.
I would like to respond to Thabisile.
Bru, you are really DOF to believe in a party that uses Blacks to erode the ANC’s support. That is all you ‘re good for.
Anything that will be positive is good – and the ANC and Trade Unions will do more damage to this beautiful country and its peoples that any thing from the past – Go DA and COPE – and give them uphill ID
Now more than ever before, I’ve the resolve to vote for the ANC.
Your ersatz imitation of the real McCoy has made me to nail my colours to the mast and declare: ANC 4 Lyf! Thank you very much for the ANC-phobia and morbid obsession with the ANC and its leader, Jacob Zuma. You’ve thrown me back to the ill-fated “Fightback Campaign” led by Tony Leon.
Indeed, you’re doing a great job campaigning for the ANC. The litany of lies, rumours, innuendos, distortions and inaccuracies have really emboldened me to proudly tell all and sundry that I’m voting ANC next Wednesday.
Viva ANC Viva. Zuma for president!
Talking frm experience. All or at least most of the DA white supporters are racist, but in public they always want to appear as the opposite of who they real are.Most of my colleagues at work are white and i always discuss politics with them. They have this negative feeling about blacks and they think that there is nothing good that can come out of a black man ( This is not what i think but it is what they say). For this reason i discourage blacks frm supporting DA, unless we want to bring apartheid in SA
Apartheid yes the word that just won’t go away. Maybe if all South Africans start looking at the future things will change in this country it’s not about black or white it’s about building a country together. If all can see this things will change. Apartheid is long gone and I asure you it will never return aslong as we can see the future and build on it. Who cares wich party runs the country as long as it looks after the poeple and put their best intrest to hart and not theirs inriching themselfs.
I am horrified at what I am reading here. I don’t know who you work with Sizwe, but I would leave, you don’t need to work with horrible people, you are better than that.
I am a member of a team of people who are not raciest, have no intention of ever going back to the horrific past, have deep concern for every person in SA, be they black, white, pink, yellow it doesnt matter, we are all South African.
We have a caring leader, who if anything, and I speak from experience, has more care for the disadvantaged people of South Africa than anyone I know or have ever met. This leader has fought long and hard and stood against discrimination since early student and then career days.
When I approached our leader about an issue with traffic, my words ‘being terrorised’, I was told that I don’t know what terrorised is, I was told to join the leader any weekend in visits to places such as Gugs and Khai and then I would know what stress is all about. I absolutely agreed, our leader was correct, I focussed on my small little world when the focus needs to be on the greater good for all. Every weekend our leader was out there at grass routes level dealing with all of the problems, personally helping more than 10,000 people in Khai, now who else has done that.
Yes, people do get out of hand, they do say the wrong thing at times, for instance if you look at the discussting T’ndoZ on 17th April, the poor man needs help, desperately.
Please guys, lets keep the discussion respectful. For I think it is only with respect for one another and a realisation that it is not all about power and money, it is about who performs the job the best. So far the ANC have not had a good track record, lots of scandals and lots of unresolved issues around JZ.
You may now ask who is my party leader, the one with the greatest integrity, one who has my respect, one who cares for the people, gets hands dirty, does the work, performs the best. Well of course it is the World’s best mayor and now Western Cape Provincial leader, who else, Helen Zille.
Helen you rock, you are a great leader and you demand hard work and results from the people who work for you. With your leadership we will make a difference for all the people in South Africa, starting with Cape Town, now the Western Cape and soon the country.
It is with shame that as South Africans we have opted to divide ourselves along colour, race and tribal lines. This has been more visible in this election than ever before. Where has the rainbow nation disappeared to? Until we all recognize ourselves as South Africans and stop labelling ourselves, we may find ourselves falling into the African Continent culture of tribalism which fuels the intolerance and sparks wars. Like in the USA the majority voted Obama, so also we can be a South African majority not black majority. There should not be minorities if South Africa is for all who leave in it.
Lovely work and full marks to the DA, lets show the ANC how to run a province! I would suggest ignoring these ill informed opponents, well at least until they are able to interact without the use profanities and statements riddled with grammatical errors.
Be an ‘alternative political party and not an opposition.
In that way, you are able to provide alternative to the ruling party, ANC and not ‘opposition opinions’.
The ANC members who post on here have no idea what “The ANC Today” stands for, nor can they understand its policies. Yet they have the nerve to comment on the counterweight opposition policies of which they know even less. This is a great website btw, it demystifies all the ANC’s methods of sustaining their power relations through use of misrepresentation and propaganda.
i think DA will need the very same Zuma they tried to stop in order to run western cape well, i am just glad that the public spat is over,and we will judge DA by what they can deliver in western cape,and it looks like they will do better than the ANC.
The fundamental problem with this government is in the mindset of the politicians. It is concept that the government of the day is in power. A govt is not in power but in service to the people whose country they have elected to manage. This they are supposed to do morally, ethically and with integrity. There are probably many reasons for this collective attitude; including greed, the need to dominate, and a serious lack of work ethic. Combine this with an attitude of entitlement and you have the perfect recipe for what is more like a kiddie’s free-for-all than a government.
To be a little kinder though, it comes from another source and that is the inability of the southern African to differentiate between service and subservience. It is this which precludes him from doing a proper job for the people he has elected to serve. They simply are not able to get past the power trip and get on with what they are being paid a fortune to do, without feeling subservient. When their shortcomings are pointed out the reaction is either arrogance or petulance. ‘I am in power, I can do what I want’ or like the kid in the sandpit who realizes he is not on a par with the others, must destroy their creations so that all are reduced to the lowest common denominator. It is time they got over themselves. Evidentially this is so deep seated that it will take more than a couple of generations to extinguish.
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