Why ANC leaders are self serving
One of my favourite authors, Nassim N Taleb published his latest book in his Incerto series called “Skin in the Game” which delves into the asymmetries in daily life, the consequences one experiences as a result of one’s actions. He proves that because of the way certain systems are setup, some individuals are in positions where they are responsible for making big decisions (with huge tail end repercussions) but are shielded from the negative consequences that arise from those decisions.
Brazenness and utter contempt
This brings me back to the ANC (South Africa’s leading political party), after having witnessed a string of inquiries (i.e. Zondo commission) that brought to light vast networks of corruption that subsequently prove that the former sitting president, Jacob Zuma, was pursuing the interests of foreign business men ahead of the welfare of the country. Another latest scandal is that of the highly ranking member of the ANC, Secretary general Ace Magashule being a target of the latest bestselling book, Gangster State (Peter-Louis Myburgh), which aims to highlight how Magashule “captured” the Free State. The book might have revealed new details but did not bring any new revelations because most people were already aware of the fact that Ace Magashule is one of South Africa’s most corrupt politicians. He and Zuma are just additions to a long list of ANC politicians who’ve been caught up in scandals that revealed their corrupt self-serving ways that it makes one wonder, Why does this happen, why do we have such high levels of corruption? Is it a failure of the moral compass or the lack of accountability. What explains the brazenness in the attitudes of Bathabile Dlamini, Faith Muthambi, Nomvula Mokonyane and Malusi Gigaba etc.
To get the answer to this question, one has to understand how these politicians got to where they are. These are political deployements, Ace was not voted into power by the Free State populace, he was imposed on them because the party was virtually guaranteed of a victory in the province. It is not the case worldwide, when one looks at the 2016 US presidential elections, it was pretty clear that the Republican party did not support Donald Trump’s bid to become the party’s presidential nominee, but the voting public imposed Trump on the Party, it is the exact opposite to how things are done in SA.
It’s a Package
The US applies the same systems with regards to Senate and Governor races, the American people have a direct say in who governs their states (provinces). The elected leader is more accountable to the people than the party. So any action the leader takes, if it is to the detriment of the people he/she governs, will be held accountable by the people and will experience the possibility of political ruin. The US Politician and the party do not come as a bundle, one can reject the politician while still endorsing the party, one can reject Bernie Sanders while supporting the Democratic party (by voting for another Democrat nominee). It is not the case with South Africa, those opposed to Ace Magashule and Supra Mahumapelo cannot reject these men and still support the party, so the voter is forced to make a decision, do they hurt the ANC by not supporting it (and voting for another party) in the elections in order to reject the politician, or do the still continue to support the movement and take deployee as a side effect, like cancer patients do with regards to chemo-therapy. One can understand why some choose the latter, and this explains the behaviours of some of our corrupt leaders.
This packaging has shielded many corrupt politicians from the consequences of their actions, Bathabile Dlamini and Ace Magashule would be no where in politics if the public had any say in the matter. They suffer no harm from the bad consequences of their actions. When a municipality is left dilapidated, without water and electricity, the disenfranchised masses’ anger will not harm their positions or political futures in any significant way.
Who to Serve
They occupy positions geared towards public service even though the people that they need to keep happy, are those within the ANC and not the public. No ANC member keeps their position once the run afoul with the leaders of the party, even amidst high popularity amongst the people they serve.
Corruption brings great benefits and delivers little harm when exposed, thus revealing the asymmetries within our political systems. Our leaders have no skin in the game and they are very much aware of it. We may chop and change leaders, hold many inquiries and write many books exposing the corruption within our country, but as long as the current system remains intact, we will see little change. We will be following the same script with different cast.
