MBOMBELA – Like any other political rally, last weekend’s ANC manifesto launch was marred with comical moments and controversy.
Speaking off the cuff in Zulu, the president, Mr Jacob Zuma, said ANC councillors have to be clean in order to be productive.
“Kufuneka amasoka hhayi nje isishimane (Councillors must bath and be clean like charmers). They must love the people and be loved by the people in return,” said Zuma.
He added that they have to be of good reputation and report to the community on progress made. “Councillors should hold meetings with the community and outline what they are doing. We will monitor them and they have to give reports of their work,” he said to the applause of the crowds.
He also added that the party will field responsible councillors who are willing to meet people on the ground.
Local government elections are always marred with controversy. Political parties are also faced with a problem when it comes to the candidate-selection process. According to Zuma many candidates misunderstood the selection process.
“You will see a councillor complaining about being taken off the list. That’s democracy in action because people choose those what they believe will represent them best.”
From accusing opposition parties of policy theft to saying they could not be trusted to lead the country because they don’t have the machinery to do so, Zuma made supporters roar with laughter with his remarks.
“You should vote ANC because it is the only political party that is prepared to change the lives of voters,” he said.
But how much do charm and cleanliness contribute to service delivery and efficiency?
Political analyst, Prof Tinyiku Maluleke from the University of Pretoria, said the statement by Zuma that councillors need to be charmers is patriarchal and paints voters as passive people who always fall for the charms of politicians.
“What is dangerous is the depiction of voters as unintelligent and weak people, the fact that they protest over service delivery is a proof that they can see when something is wrong,” he said.
Maluleke also said the statement unconsciously discredited women as leaders because it is only men who charm.
“What about female councillors, what kind of strategies are they going to use to win voters? That statement is patriarchal and unfortunate,” said Maluleke.
He also added that instead of the president saying opposition parties do not have the necessary machinery to lead the country, the ANC ought to prove to people what it has achieved since it came into power.
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