Johannesburg – Take note of who are protesting in Tshwane at the moment – people who do not have jobs – we do not talk enough about unemployment in South Africa, said political analyst Justice Malala at the convention of the SA Property Owners Association (Sapoa) on Wednesday.
He said 8.9 million jobless people in SA ask themselves every day what was going to happen to them. About 10 million people in SA live below the poverty line.
“Many of us in South Africa just want to keep going with our lives and our work, but every so often something reminds us that politics impact our lives,” said Malala.
For him the key thing was that ratings agency Moody’s said it would keep SA’s rating as it was due to SA’s institutions that work – like the Public Protector.
Divided and in pain
“We can think what is happening in Tshwane is the end of the world, but it's not. It is rather when we stop trusting our institutions in SA – like the judiciary – that we should be very worried,” said Malala.
“You will hear politicians say all kinds of things you cannot believe ahead of the upcoming elections. Be careful of political noise as it is not a reflection of what is really going on in the country.”
He said the key aspect of the current factional nature of SA politics was that since 1994 the ANC had dominated, but now it was divided and in pain and in a battle for its heart.
“Note that Tshwane’s protests have nothing to do with service delivery, but are about the candidate for mayor. Tshwane’s people are, therefore, affected because the ANC in Tswhane is in pain,” said Malala.
“Sure the election will come and go. It is part of our democracy, but I do not think over the next few years it will be all happy happy in SA.”
Marginalised young people
In Malala’s view, the business sector in SA will see even more pressure because of a trend to blame it for not having transformed enough. He also thinks the topic of racism in South Africa will become an even bigger talking point.
“Young people – whether as part of the Rhodes Must Fall or Fees Must Fall campaigns – are highlighting racism in SA. We're all going to have to look at this topic until we can find a solution,”” said Malala.
In his view the EFF is the only party at the moment which manages to reach marginalised young people.
“Power is not absolute and for me that is a good thing that is still working in SA. We should do more with our institutions. Remember if our leaders can change their minds so can we,” said Malala.