ANC veteran and former Mpumalanga premier Mathews Phosa yesterday gave a clear warning to South Africans that politicians will be making bigger promises as the general elections of 2024 are nearing.

He also gave a list of things that should be done to hold those in power accountable.

He was speaking at an event in Sandton on December 1.

“We live in a country where the dreams of Nelson Mandela and his fellow Rivonia trialists have, unfortunately, not been realised.

“We are bedridden by load-shedding, acute shortages of running water and food as well as a decaying infrastructure. Despite many empty promises by our elected leaders, they have not achieved a better for all,” Phosa said.

According to him, corruption is rife on all levels of government.

“We are drowned in a daily diet of quotes on how things will get better and how we just need a bit of patience. The promises will increase in size, volume and scope as we approach next year’s election.

“Mr President, let me repeat, we see your multitude of fancy cars pushing us onto the pavements with screaming sirens and blue lights. I ask you: Please put yourself in the position of those having to walk kilometres to work whilst your drivers scatter angry and powerless drivers and pedestrians in all directions.”

He said that the people of South Africa felt betrayed by non-performing leaders’ laziness and lack of concern for ordinary people’s well-being.

According to Phosa, examples of real leaders included Nelson Mandela and Siya Kolisi.

He gave the following list of what should be done:

• Sharpen the spear of our legislation and prosecution of thugs.
• Teach leadership skills from a primary school level.
• Shape our schools’ curriculum to promote entrepreneurship.
• Vote out useless, populist leaders who survive by spinning half-truths and outright lies.
• Start believing in ourselves and develop pride on our flag and our skills.
• Write down your dreams and persevere, persevere through obstacles and failures until you achieve what you slaved for.

“We must, find our voices, verbalize our views and fearlessly speak truth to power.  If we don’t, we will stay stuck in this recipe for disaster and continue to be ruled by disrespectful dummies.

“We need ordinary people such as the swimmer Tatyana Schoenmaker and Francois Pienaar to stand up and aim for the skies and start, tirelessly, to breath oxygen into our dreams.”