Issues at stake

Fishing season amongst the poor

Columnist KHAYA GQIBITHOLE takes a critical look at one of politicians’ favourite pre-election ‘sport’ activities

2010 will undoubtedly go down as one of the most celebrated years in South Africa by virtue of the Soccer World Cup. The hope and enthusiasm generated by the event were clear illustrations of what the country can achieve when we put the country and its people first. The whole world has seen what the country can offer and was showered with the warmth of her people. Indeed, we should be proud of who we are and what we have achieved so far. However, underneath the celebratory veneer lies the rot of public relations reality where the poor find themselves as playthings - the poor who were swept off our streets when the world descended onto our shores, only to be dumped back in the squalor the moment our valued guests left. In other spheres we have witnessed the inhumane manner in which whole communities have been uprooted from where their ancestors rest in the name of ‘development’. We know of the tarred roads that connect the affluent centres at the expense of the dusty locations.

Fishing season
But ‘good times’ (albeit temporarily) are about to roll for the downtrodden.
The reason is that the local government elections are around the corner - meaning the political fishing season is now open. Politicians throughout the land will now tirelessly cast their lines to make the biggest catch - the crucial votes of the poor majority. The bait used will remain the conventional superficial fare. Juicy food parcels remain fashionable. Politicians will travel far and wide and distribute their lures to the poor so that they can be remembered and recognised on polling day. Even the destitute who have spent donkey’s years in forgotten dumpsites will now suddenly find themselves getting surprise visits by ‘humble’ public servants in fine suits and flashy cars, turning tricks with feeding frenzies. All of a sudden, our parcel-wielding compatriots show compassion to the vulnerable. And they promise them the world! These fellows know very well that there is nothing as forgiving as gifts for an empty stomach. They know they will be welcomed and women will ululate in their wake. Many of the poor know that this is a short season and the manna only comes at election time. So they dance to the puppet masters to do the best they can to feed their starving families. Hunger degrades human dignity, but one cannot blame those who do not know where their next meal will come from, from accepting the ‘empathy gifts’ (more often than not paid for by taxpayers’ money). It is those who dole out the food parcels who should stand accused, because they know exactly what they are doing - what they stand to gain from their dishonest ‘compassion’.