Home Opinion Hit or Miss: Is our democracy in peril?

Hit or Miss: Is our democracy in peril?

4 min read
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Chakalakaisnca

We are predominantly an entertainment website, and generally prefer to stay out of politics – but that’s not possible right now.

I am an optimist, believe it or not. I have a lot of faith in this most wonderful country and its people, even if I don’t have nearly as much in our current government. And late last night, whatever faith I had was eroded – as out increasingly rogue president reshuffled cabinet without the consultation of the ruling part or its allies. It’s become quite clear that all of that talk of state capture was more than just conspiracy theory, and that our democracy is a shambles.

That’s the sentiment shared by long-time political and social activist Jay Naidoo:

I’ll be frank. I’m pretty devastated, and I worry for our future, and the future of our democracy. I asked everyone else what they think of the reshuffle.

Zoe:

“I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that I’m upset and horrified at the political situation in SA, or the fact that it’s no longer surprising. We knew it was coming and everyone seemed to sigh and say “RIP Rand” and shrug their shoulders. We aren’t active in our outrage. No marches, no protests. Without any real repercussions to these actions, Zuma and the rest of the government will just keep doing what they want. And it’s mirrored in politics globally at this point… is this the point in history that we will look back on as the beginning of the end?”

Gavin:

“I’m devastated, if this action isn’t quickly reversed I am going to have to seriously consider emigrating and leaving the country I call home. I simply cannot allow my kids futures to be controlled by a clique based in Dubai who are hell bent on pillaging this country for their own greed while the clown king himself chuckles while the country burns.”

Noelle:

“It’s disgusting. I’m disgusted that this is the direction we are going as a country – making major governance shifts in the middle of the night that seem more about punishing powerful critics than removing the incompetent (*cough*, grants debacle). For years I always dismissed the hysterical “South Africa is going to be the next Zimbabwe” comments, but I think we are on that doorstep right now. Once the land “redistribution” starts, well, that’s Game Over in terms of our credibility and relevance in a world economy. What does it take to stop a spiteful, greedy Ninja Turtle who is prepared to destroy an entire country and its people to benefit (and protect) himself?”

Glenn:

“It’s a sad day for the ANC, for South Africa & for our democracy. The cabinet reshuffle, more specifically the firing of Pravin Gordhan, exposes the ANC for what it has become: A spineless, morally bankrupt party that is willing to watch a few people destroy this country.”

Kervyn:

“I’m a generally positive guy, able to crack a joke in just about the most dire of circumstances. There’s nothing funny about this though. Our country has overcome far too much and struggled far too long to be eroded like this through blatant greed and cronyism. That it’s being done with the bare minimum of subterfuge is even more infuriating, as it shows an utter disregard for consequences”

Nick:

“It is a very sad day when the struggles of truly great people are replaced with those who are truly greedy people. The fact that this is happening in plain sight makes the situation even worse. When a government is so entrenched by the cement of cronies it makes one wonder how we will break the institutions we are supposed to look to for support. I returned from England to contribute to making this country a great country, after recent events I am just glad I have a passport to leave”

Darryn contributed in video form:

While that video helped me laugh through the tears, it’s hard to see any real positives here, nor is there any clear solution. I think South Africans as a people need to stick together to fight an injustice – once again working together to dispose of a government that has the inyerest of a few ahead of the interests of many.

What do you feel about the reshuffle, our president, and what looks like a crumbling democracy?

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Critical Hit as an organisation.

Last Updated: March 31, 2017

44 Comments

  1. Original Heretic

    March 31, 2017 at 10:39

    This is from the Daily Maverick.

    “And yet, it’s only a chickenshit Mafia vampire bagman who purges his Cabinet well after supper, and then dumps a press statement on the country in the witching hour.”

    I hesitate to use my own words at the moment. There’d be way too much profanity directed at one asshole in particular.

    Reply

  2. Member Berry Bob

    March 31, 2017 at 10:40

    I would say no more than usual. There have been a number of comments made by our president over the years that cast doubt on our continued democracy. It’s very clear that the ANC under JZ isn’t interested in letting go of power. Like many countries in Africa, we are an autocratic-democracy.

    Reply

  3. Matthew Figueira

    March 31, 2017 at 10:45

    That Overwatch video xD basically what Geoff said:

    “While that video helped me laugh through the tears, it’s hard to see any real positives here, nor is there any clear solution.”

    I think the first obvious thing would be to get Zuma off of that high perch, but who knows if that will fix anything :/

    Reply

  4. konfab

    March 31, 2017 at 10:47

    The ANC has been following the scripts of Animal Farm and 1984 since day 1.

    I am neither surprised, nor shocked that the ANC is capable of this.

    Reply

    • Banana Jim's Final Form!

      March 31, 2017 at 10:57

      I’m excited to see where all of this will end, will we be donning our tyre armour and battling in the streets for water, or will it all end rather anticlimactically with Jacob Zuma drowning in his bath, while surrounded by his harem in Dubai, or will President Atul continue looting our tiny little country….

      Reply

  5. Original Heretic

    March 31, 2017 at 10:48

    Zuma puts the dick in dictator.
    And he’s putting his spear in all of us.

    Reply

    • Banana Jim's Final Form!

      March 31, 2017 at 10:54

      And it’s not a cool spear, like an assegai or a doru, but rather just a nasty old man’s geriatric meat spear…

      Reply

  6. Banana Jim's Final Form!

    March 31, 2017 at 10:50

    I like the way that our president, President Atul actually lives in Dubai, rather than in South Africa like his man-servants and butlers (i.e. Jacob Zuma and cronies).

    Reply

  7. Cat

    March 31, 2017 at 10:55

    Everyone get your passports ready & get a one way ticket to the moon or Mars, the whole world is falling apart. The difference is this ship has hit too many ice bergs & will continue doing so in the future as everything is falling apart since the plasters are not holding the water out anymore.

    Reply

  8. Alien Emperor Trevor

    March 31, 2017 at 10:56

    I’m upset. Which is a mild-sounding word for the feeling, but it actually takes a lot to make me feel this way.

    It’s a blatant power grab from a desperate man. He’s on his way out, and when he’s out there’s a few hundred corruption charges waiting for him that he hasn’t been able to make vanish that will bury him. It’s the selfish act of a childish bully who believes breaking things will get him what he wants, with no regard for the consequences, all nicely enabled by those who depend on his largess to enrich themselves and spineless sycophants who’d amount to nothing riding his coat tails. It’s pathetic.

    What gives me hope is that more people are waking up and seeing all this for exactly what it is, and that no amount of “us v them” rhetoric from him will wash it away and prevent people from realising that it’s actually “us vs him”.

    Reply

    • Banana Jim's Final Form!

      March 31, 2017 at 10:58

      Perhaps, but if they did decide on the “deal” (where he leaves quietly before 2018), it still means he’s going to have a few months to loot this country for his overmasters, the Russians and the Guptas.

      Either way, we (as South Africans) loose.

      Reply

      • Member Berry Bob

        March 31, 2017 at 11:00

        I’ve already lost – R250m on a compound, volatile currency fluctuations almost every year, Guptagate, random finance minister changes. We lost the moment he took office. All we’re discussing now is the extent of said loss.

        Reply

        • Banana Jim's Final Form!

          March 31, 2017 at 11:02

          We’re basically standing on the porch and watching a bag of poop being set alight. Either way, that porch is getting pooped.

          Reply

          • Member Berry Bob

            March 31, 2017 at 11:04

            Some people just want to watch the bag of poop burn.

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        March 31, 2017 at 11:02

        That’s true too. But I’m trying to be optimistic here, don’t tip over my half-full glass Jim!

        P.S. No fucking deal. GITS.

        Reply

  9. Magoo

    March 31, 2017 at 11:02

    What’s a democracy? Can you eat it?

    Reply

    • Banana Jim's Final Form!

      March 31, 2017 at 11:03

      No, but you can drink the kool-aid 😀

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        March 31, 2017 at 11:15

        And ride it for all it’s worth!

        Reply

  10. Admiral Chief

    March 31, 2017 at 11:07

    As much as it pains me to say this, we need a coup.

    Forcible removal of all those who are corrupt

    Reply

    • Member Berry Bob

      March 31, 2017 at 11:08

      Who determines who is “corrupt”?

      Reply

      • Spathi

        March 31, 2017 at 11:08

        The law 🙂

        Reply

        • Member Berry Bob

          March 31, 2017 at 11:09

          The corrupt law headed by individuals put in power by the corrupt government officials?

          Reply

          • Spathi

            March 31, 2017 at 11:12

            Nope, The Constitution! But I get what you are saying…

    • Spathi

      March 31, 2017 at 11:08

      Who will be left?

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        March 31, 2017 at 11:17

        I’ll be left. Admiral for Emperor of SA. Viva

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          March 31, 2017 at 11:19

          *cough*

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            March 31, 2017 at 11:23

            If you are left, you can remain as emperor of the WC, I don’t want that place

  11. Steffmeister

    March 31, 2017 at 11:07

    Things need to sometimes get worse, before it gets better. It wont be pretty, and people wil suffer, but this wil one day be seen as, not the beginning of the end for SA, but the beginning of the end of Zuma.

    Reply

    • Magoo

      March 31, 2017 at 11:14

      Some legit optimism right here^

      Reply

  12. Banana Jim's Final Form!

    March 31, 2017 at 11:45

    I think Zuma has taken advantage of the ANC’s tendency to not want to air their dirty laundry in public. I’m sure there are vicious battles happening behind closed doors, but that never reaches the public, and quite frankly makes any dissent within the party irrelevant.

    If I (the public) don’t know that faction A wants to eat faction B for breakfast or that Faction C is aware that Faction B and D are corrupt little shits, then it might as well not have happened. Zuma knows that only those that have been excommunicated will run to the media, whearas those in the fold will remain mum, and rarely support those “who spill the beans”. It’s Party uber Alles!

    That’s the real secret to how he’s remained in power. The guy is clearly an idiot savant of politics.

    Reply

  13. Banana Jim's Final Form!

    March 31, 2017 at 11:59

    Damnit, we’re not going to take it!

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      March 31, 2017 at 12:00

      Hehehehehe, I like it

      Reply

  14. Guild

    April 4, 2017 at 15:08

    Considering last nights events and the credit down rating by S&P with Moody looking to adjust on Friday. You may as well leave this topic open for another round of comments.
    Simple answer is yes SA is in the shit. And looks to get worse

    Reply

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