IT WAS a week of political contradictions. In the United States history was made when the first African-American was re-elected to the White House.
President Barack Obama inspired many nations with his acceptance speech.
"What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth. The belief that our destiny is shared, that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations," he said.
With only five weeks to go to the ANC elective conference in Mangaung, South Africans watching Obama's re-election could not help but make comparisons with our own state of affairs as a nation.
The Americans are emerging from a crippling recession and have major challenges in how the Democrats and Republicans have to work together to steer the country out of this abyss, and the message of hope by Obama is meant to shift the nation's psyche and encourage it to fight to reclaim its glory.
Back home in Parliament on Thursday, we witnessed a different story to the one of hope in America.
Capitalising on a divided ANC that they said washeading towards a path of self-destruction, nine opposition parties tabled a motion of no confidence in the leadership of President Jacob Zuma.
The parties argue that under Zuma the economy has weakened. They say corruption is spiralling out of control, children's rights to access quality education has been compromised - as demonstrated by the Limpopo textbooks debacle - and the Marikana killings have dented South Africa's image.
With only 136 seats out of the 400 in Parliament, the opposition parties' move can be easily dismissed as a publicity stunt as they are unlikely to get the support of disgruntled ANC MPs to vote on this matter.
Their action says Zuma's leadership is under fire. Their action is also helping to contribute to negative sentiments on South Africa circulating internationally.
Once again we are making headlines for the wrong reasons. The collective rejection by the opposition, including former Struggle parties like the PAC and Azapo, indicates that SA's leadership is failing.
The act, whether or not its intended results will come to fruition, will have a negative impact on how other countries view and label the political and business climate in this country.
It supports some of the negative views that are detrimental to our country's image and will be instrumental in affecting its growth in the near future.
Danger signs loom for SA
IT WAS a week of political contradictions. In the United States history was made when the first African-American was re-elected to the White House.
President Barack Obama inspired many nations with his acceptance speech.
"What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth. The belief that our destiny is shared, that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations," he said.
With only five weeks to go to the ANC elective conference in Mangaung, South Africans watching Obama's re-election could not help but make comparisons with our own state of affairs as a nation.
The Americans are emerging from a crippling recession and have major challenges in how the Democrats and Republicans have to work together to steer the country out of this abyss, and the message of hope by Obama is meant to shift the nation's psyche and encourage it to fight to reclaim its glory.
Back home in Parliament on Thursday, we witnessed a different story to the one of hope in America.
Capitalising on a divided ANC that they said washeading towards a path of self-destruction, nine opposition parties tabled a motion of no confidence in the leadership of President Jacob Zuma.
The parties argue that under Zuma the economy has weakened. They say corruption is spiralling out of control, children's rights to access quality education has been compromised - as demonstrated by the Limpopo textbooks debacle - and the Marikana killings have dented South Africa's image.
With only 136 seats out of the 400 in Parliament, the opposition parties' move can be easily dismissed as a publicity stunt as they are unlikely to get the support of disgruntled ANC MPs to vote on this matter.
Their action says Zuma's leadership is under fire. Their action is also helping to contribute to negative sentiments on South Africa circulating internationally.
Once again we are making headlines for the wrong reasons. The collective rejection by the opposition, including former Struggle parties like the PAC and Azapo, indicates that SA's leadership is failing.
The act, whether or not its intended results will come to fruition, will have a negative impact on how other countries view and label the political and business climate in this country.
It supports some of the negative views that are detrimental to our country's image and will be instrumental in affecting its growth in the near future.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos