/ 14 September 2001

Critical hostility

Drew Forrest (September 7) is on the money. The African National Congress prefers sycophantic enemies to critical friends.

As a long-time apartheid opponent, I also increasingly find myself subject to hostility because I criticise the government in public.

Many of those with whom the ANC prefers to deal are supporters of the old South Africa, obstructing change while maintaining an amiable facade. Hence slow delivery, and an increasingly fouled-up public sector.

As soon as the ANC understands the distinction between affable sabotage and genuine if critical support for change, the better. Philip Machanick, Johannesburg