In Africa, including South Africa, politicians are richer than business people. How much do politicians earn? Also, how do they make their money? It is clear that politics has become nothing but a way to a quick buck.
I once read a story of a president in one of the African countries who was richer than his country. (Interestingly, he was poor before he became a politician). At some point, the country was in the financial doldrums and he lent it money from his own pocket. If this was a joke, we would be laughing.
Jose Eduardo dos Santos served as Angolan president from 1979 to 2017. During his tenure, his eldest child, Isabel, became Africa’s richest woman. Isabel became rich not because she was a shrewd businesswoman but because she was the president’s daughter. Talk about nepotism.
The ANC veteran, Smuts Ngonyama, once said “I did not become a politician to be poor”. Ngonyama was answering a question regarding a business deal that he facilitated using his political position, and earned big money for. I’m sure he is a multi-millionaire wherever he is.
A lot has been reported about political leader’s riches stories. Most of them didn’t earn their riches; they have used their political positions to become wealthy. In other words, they have used their positions to enrich themselves instead of bettering the lives of the poor, as promised.
The former secretary-general of Cosatu, now secretary-general of Saftu, Zwelinzima Vavi, once called for politicians to have a lifestyle audit. However, Vavi’s suggestion never saw the light of day, for obvious reasons.
In light of what has been revealed in the state capture commission regarding corruption amongst our political leaders, it would be advisable to consider the suggestion of the Saftu secretary-general. A lifestyle audit should be conducted among our political leaders. Otherwise, the status quo will remain.
