South Africa's political elite are not in a position to transform the country because of their greed, vulnerability and relationship with big business.
Following the dismantling of apartheid, the new black political elites have also mainly joined the "elite club" instead of transforming it, leaving ordinary South Africans behind.
This is according to three professors who are political analysts addressing a four-day political school of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) yesterday in Boksburg on the East Rand.
Professor Somadoda Fikeni said ANC leaders were obsessed with materialism.
"Our political elite have become so obsessed with lifestyle issues and still think they can conduct a revolution.
"It is simply not possible because, by its own nature, transformation is based on self-sacrifice," Fikeni said.
He said many in the political establishment were flirting with capital as a backup for resources in case they lose their political power.
Because of this, Fikeni said, political leaders were always more likely to establish relationships with capital than the electorate.
"Then you depend on that person to transform a sector or lead a revolution," Fikeni said.
Professor Steven Friedman said that when the ANC took power, its leaders joined the elite club of the white minority, with the majority being left behind.
Friedman said this created acrimony and bad relations between ordinary citizens and the ruling elite.
The event, which was aimed at the "class consciousness" of Popcru members, was attended by senior SACP and Cosatu leaders, including the latter's president Sdumo Dlamini.
Friedman said it was unrealistic for the black majority to want to live like whites did during apartheid in the new SA.
"This was 10% of the population oppressing 90% of the majority in order to get those privileges.
"Instead we must ask about how we can ensure that everyone benefits from what we have."
He said it was a very challenging time for trade unions, not only because of globalisation but also because of local conditions which included calls for the shrinking of public service unions.
Fikeni said the SACP had failed to challenge the assault of global and local capital on the working class, an assessment which prompted rejection from the delegates during discussions.
Professor Sipho Seepe lambasted black academics and political analysts for not commenting on the economy on behalf of the black majority.
"The majority of wealth in this country is not in your hands, but do you hear black analysts talk about the economy? No.
"This is because they have been thrown the bone," he said.
He called for radical economic transformation, adding that leaders must also look at other less explored sectors like the ocean economy and the energy sector.
'Greedy black elites cannot be trusted'
South Africa's political elite are not in a position to transform the country because of their greed, vulnerability and relationship with big business.
Following the dismantling of apartheid, the new black political elites have also mainly joined the "elite club" instead of transforming it, leaving ordinary South Africans behind.
This is according to three professors who are political analysts addressing a four-day political school of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) yesterday in Boksburg on the East Rand.
Professor Somadoda Fikeni said ANC leaders were obsessed with materialism.
"Our political elite have become so obsessed with lifestyle issues and still think they can conduct a revolution.
"It is simply not possible because, by its own nature, transformation is based on self-sacrifice," Fikeni said.
He said many in the political establishment were flirting with capital as a backup for resources in case they lose their political power.
Because of this, Fikeni said, political leaders were always more likely to establish relationships with capital than the electorate.
"Then you depend on that person to transform a sector or lead a revolution," Fikeni said.
Professor Steven Friedman said that when the ANC took power, its leaders joined the elite club of the white minority, with the majority being left behind.
Friedman said this created acrimony and bad relations between ordinary citizens and the ruling elite.
The event, which was aimed at the "class consciousness" of Popcru members, was attended by senior SACP and Cosatu leaders, including the latter's president Sdumo Dlamini.
Friedman said it was unrealistic for the black majority to want to live like whites did during apartheid in the new SA.
"This was 10% of the population oppressing 90% of the majority in order to get those privileges.
"Instead we must ask about how we can ensure that everyone benefits from what we have."
He said it was a very challenging time for trade unions, not only because of globalisation but also because of local conditions which included calls for the shrinking of public service unions.
Fikeni said the SACP had failed to challenge the assault of global and local capital on the working class, an assessment which prompted rejection from the delegates during discussions.
Professor Sipho Seepe lambasted black academics and political analysts for not commenting on the economy on behalf of the black majority.
"The majority of wealth in this country is not in your hands, but do you hear black analysts talk about the economy? No.
"This is because they have been thrown the bone," he said.
He called for radical economic transformation, adding that leaders must also look at other less explored sectors like the ocean economy and the energy sector.
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