“Hide nothing from the masses of our people. Tell no lies. Expose lies whenever they are told. Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures. Claim no easy victories...”
That powerful call for transparency and honesty is from Amílcar Cabral, a revered African anticolonial leader whose legacy of unwavering truth and the exposure of falsehoods continue to inspire and influence political thought worldwide.
With its storied history in the struggle against apartheid, the ANC often invokes these ideals. In truth, the espousal of these values and the actions of some of ANC leaders is ironic.
This time, take the Gauteng education MEC, Matome Chiloane, who pulled a high school life orientation project on poor access to clean water. Why? Because it might tip the scales in the upcoming elections. To hell with academic freedom — a noble belief that the advancement of knowledge is best served when inquiry is free from the restraints of the state.
The DA is right. Chiloane is trying to hide the ANC’s failures. It’s as if the ANC has looked into its political crystal ball, seen the future and worked out that its confidence in maintaining its electoral monopoly is a façade.
With the elections weeks away, the ANC’s sleight of hand will be put to the test. Will voters be dazzled by its tricks? Will they see through the illusion?
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