BARNEY MTHOMBOTHI: Banal election campaigns pave the way to the feeding trough
The phony spectacle of strangers pretending they know and care about voters’ aspirations will soon be over as the ANC stands divided
Extract The posters have shrivelled in the sun. The messages — never imaginative in the first place — are stale, repetitive and boring. The politicians, now merely going through the motions, sound like stuck records. The voters wonder whether the blooming thing will ever end. After almost a year of campaigning, they’re none the wiser. If anything, the campaign has left most people flustered and confused. It’s been a big yawn. But be patient, dear voter. The end is nigh. Soon the nightmare will be over. The phony spectacle of strangers pretending they know and care about your aspirations will be a thing of the past. The voter is merely a stepping stone, a ticket to riches. A seat in parliament — or, better still, a chair at the cabinet table — will do nicely. It is a source of income, not an opportunity to serve. Which is why every man and his dog has formed a political party. It will be crowded at the trough. The people will be left chasing a mirage, as they have for the past 25 ye...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.