Opinion by Masibongwe Sihlahla : After the Second World War most of the economies in Europe were at 1-5% of pre-war levels and instead of waiting 50 years for these economies to come online again and reach pre-war levels the USA government implemented the Marshall Plan to rightsize these economies.
As a history student at school I could already fathom the enduring changes the Marshall Plan made to Europe after 5 years of war. After 300 years of colonialism and nearly 50 years of Apartheid the first democratic leader had to do something to restore the economies of black areas which was deliberately undermined to keep blacks under control.
The democratically elected government at that time rule by the ANC came up with the RDP and BEE which we colloquially just call the Madiba Plan.
As a savvy leader who developed his leadership skills both in the ANC youth and as leader on the island saw his leadership mandate post his release to lead to transform the country especially its economy and its youth.
As an astute politician and leader Madiba saw politics is a challenge to the establishments world view and their personal values and thus he realised that those who want to preserve the privileges of the old order gladly will misrepresent those who represent the new order of democracy and human rights.
Madiba also was aware that what matters most especially in the eyes of a highly politicized youth is not the who the leadership is or how hard they have worked for democracy but the ability of the ANC to transform this country in a economically growing and politically stable country with opportunities for all.
Madiba believed that those who possess power whether morally or politically must ensure that that power is used effectively to enhance society and that there should be no regrets when a leader leaves office as to decisions he did not take in which the lives of the voters could have been improved.
In is in this regard that Madiba focussed himself and the other leaders in the ANC to always consider decisions that will always improve the condition of the people especially the youth who had a special place in his heart. This is the real legacy Madiba left us and it is a measure stick according which all other leaders who have followed in his footsteps should conduct themselves as well as leading the government accordingly.
The ANC fought for and achieved the most liberal constitution in the world with many Chapter 9 institutions protecting that very constitutional rights of all its citizens.
Since 1994 the ANC government has improved black education remarkably and whereas the number of blacks at university were in 1970 as follows:
WHITES – 73 204 (90,9%), COLOUREDS – 947(1,2%), INDIANS – 1818(2,3%), BLACKS – 4578(5,7%) , TOTAL – 80 547(100%)
In 1994 already the situation has improved to blacks being 168 372(46,7) out of 360 250 students. The ANC realised that each graduate can take 18 family members out of poverty once they become employed and thus in furtherance of Madiba’s dream of empowering youth the ANC government.
For this purpose the ANC government under the Ministry of Higher Education and National Treasurer initiated the NSFAS funding model which has escalated to R43 Billion in 2021 and is set to increase by another R10 Billion. Since 2018 a student does not have to repay his / her bursary. This is the most generous bursary scheme anywhere in the world and we as a country should be immensely proud of what our government is doing for our youth. The economies of Germany and Japan and China are growing as a direct result of the money spent on graduates .
The ANC has pumped in billions in upgrading our infrastructure which remained unchanged under the previous regime and new rolling stock as well as improvements to harbours and railways are currently undertaken.
Unfortunately as is the case all over the world when such huge undertakings are tackled by government corruption always creeps in and in this regard South Africa was not spared but the ANC government has formed a presidential Anti Corruption Council and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (HAWKS) and Asset Forfeiture units has been used successfully to prosecute those guilty of stealing public funds.
In terms of sport the Department of Sport has made many millions available for development and in my small village of Hermanus our Local Soccer Association can testify to money received for kit etc.
It was under Madiba that our country were able to successfully host the Soccer World Cup and Rugby World Cup and currently we are hosting the World Netball Cup on our shores. Sport is big business and many black youth has found employment as professional sportsmen and women.
Sports tourism also brings in many millions to our fiscus and one of the biggest sources of foreign exchange is Tourism which is still growing and the ANC realise that tourism can only grow as long as our country is politically stable.
In terms of bullying legislation and LGTBI+ rights which the ANC has introduced including the National School Feeding Scheme youth can be well assured that the ANC is looking after their future.
Within 10 years of democracy the ANC government has built over 2,3 million RDP houses and the quality and size of the houses are improving. There is also an emphasis to give houses to younger couples as well as a FLISP scheme for those who have a good income and want to buy a house.
Under the ANC free water and electricity to a minimum was made free to all households under a certain threshold of income and this has made a world of difference to many destitute people.
In 1994 few black households had any type of decent sanitation but today more than 90% of black households have decent sanitation in their houses.
One of the most lauded things the ANC has done is to change the school curriculum from a white supremacist centric one to a humanist centric one in which black contributions to this country such as gold smelting was acknowledged and incorporated.
Before 1994 there were many schools where black kids still had to learn under a tree but Madiba made the building of dignified schools a priority and it was Cameron Dugmore as MEC for Education in WC who made the policy that every black school henceforth must get a school hall.
It is clear from an objective perspective that the ANC remains the only viable hope for the youth of this country. I categorically state that with no fear of contradiction.
Masibongwe Sihlahla
Independent Writer and Political Analyst.
Founder and Chairman CONCERNED YOUNG PEOPLES FORUM Of SA
Masibongwe Sihlahla
Independent Writer / Political Analyst
The Views Expressed Here are not those of Central News***
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1 comment
What great insight from such a young writer, out country has really against great odds made changes in the lives of our youth