South Africa faced five major crises, and it was the responsibility of voters in the coming election to judge whether these could be solved by the current government, or whether a profound change was required, IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said on Tuesday.
In a speech prepared for delivery at the University of Stellenbosch, where he shared a platform with Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon, the Inkatha Freedom Party president said the five crises were well known to all South Africans.
”I refer to the crises of HIV/Aids, crime, unemployment, poverty and corruption,” he said.
Young people, especially, were very aware of the enormous unemployment crisis, because generating jobs had not been a government priority over the past ten years.
”We have all experienced the present levels of crime, and have either been a victim of crime, or fear becoming one. We are all, directly or indirectly, affected by HIV/Aids, for even those who are not infected, are bound to know somebody who is. We are all aware of the rising levels of corruption which are taking place throughout our society, both in the public and the private sector.”
On poverty, he said South Africa would not succeed until the rural-urban disparity was addressed.
”There is no possibility of any security and prosperity for the rich until the plight of the poor is redressed.”
However, since 1994, the levels and depths of poverty have increased throughout the country.
”Unfortunately, if we look at these five crises, it becomes evident that not enough has been done by our government in the past 10 years. Many of the features and much of the intensity of these crises are, in fact, the direct product of the neglect with which they have been handled by government.
”Their existence has often been denied, and there has been a political unwillingness to do what it takes to redress them.
”It is now for the South African people to decide at the next elections whether the same people who neglected providing solutions to these five problems, should be trusted with doing what it takes to handle them, or rather that through the elections, the message should be given that things must change.”
On reports of voter apathy, Buthelezi said it was essential for people to ”mobilise and recognise that the next election is important”.
”I am very concerned about the apathy, especially amongst young people.
”It now takes courage to ensure that if people are dissatisfied, that they do not express their dissatisfaction through absenteeism, but rather through making the effort of going to the voting stations, to vote for someone who can voice their dissatisfaction,” he said.
Meanwhile, IFP expressed dismay on Tuesday that Deputy President Jacob Zuma was barred from entering two hostels at Denver, Johannesburg, on Sunday.
Zuma, as part of his electioneering campaign, visited Denver Hostel on Sunday, but hostel dwellers told him he was not welcome because their induna was not informed about his visit.
Zuma had to negotiate with indunas, who met him and his entourage at the hostel gate.
He told them he was told that proper preparations had been made. They later allowed him inside the hostel.
”All political parties have the right to campaign freely and fairly,” the IFP said.
Party spokesman Musa Zondi said the IFP ”unequivocally condemned such behaviour” and would conduct a thorough investigation to find out if IFP members incited the obstruction.
”The IFP unequivocally condemns the obstruction and the disrespect shown to Deputy President Zuma and his entourage at the Denver hostels on Sunday.
”If supporters of the IFP were involved, they did so against the high standards and conduct expected of party supporters,” he said.
He said IFP would conduct a thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances of what took place. – Sapa