Agang's silence is worrying

THERE'S slowness and lethargy in the actions and progress of AgangSA since its launch last month.

It's worrying to see the Democratic Alliance comforting a corrective rape and murder victim's family in Thokoza while AgangSA is absent and silent.

There are some who warned - at the time when Dr Mamphela Ramphele first announced the formation of AgangSA - that there may be problems with the disjuncture and lack of connection between intellectuals and people on the ground.

There should be meetings held by AgangSA in which the people are to be reassured that the organisation is not a phantom party.

If AgangSA does not move quickly to close the gap and seize the space left open by the ANC since the last election, the food parcels and grants will be rolled out to ensure a surly and disgruntled electorate votes for the party they've always voted for - in the absence of alternatives.

The silence on major issues and incidents is also worrying. Why does AgangSA not wish Nelson Mandela a speedy recovery?

AgangSA dare not be lackadaisical about turning around the biggest economy in Africa with a formidable array of socio-political problems that are daunting, even to the ruling party.

The problems in education, health, housing and safety are enormous and cannot merely be talked away or dealt with by the appointment of consultants.

I understand that AgangSA has signed up a public relations company that created Barack Obama's campaign, but the US Democrats already have a well-organised membership and structures in American communities.

Please organise Ramphele. The challenges are far too big for half-hearted attempts.

Ignatius Qhoboshiane, Spruitview