Like most commentators out there, I feel that the first 100 days of the JZ regime have been largely positive. The ugly spots have been and are there for all to see and comment on.
Troubles with some sectors of the taxi industry, a weakening economy threatening to derail some, of the more ambitious social welfare and job creation projects, the trade unions testing the limits of their influence, and of course, the biggest story if 2009 so far, the mass service delivery protests all over the country. And they I think will be the biggest problem of the JZ era. Everybody knows the government will need a lot of time to deliver on its latest promises. But if the electorate will not give them the time to go about this responsibly- we could be in for kak. It will be a stern test of the JZ government how it balances the new expectations versus the realities of responsible governance.
On the plus side we have a leader (ship) that is going a long way towards restoring the culture of open dialogue and honest interaction that we had regressed from in a previous era. South Africa got a lot wealthier between 1999 and 2008. But we also grew apart as a people, insulated in our bubbles of success and poverty, aspiration and despondency, and if we are to fulfill our potential as a nation, we need to get the national conversation going again.
What has also been encouraging is a new attitude that speaks out firmly against corruption, cronyism and shielding underperforming “comrades” out of a misguided sense of party loyalty. The noises and steps taken in this regard fill South Africans with hope of a more accountable and better performing government. For example the Defence Minister’s quick action to fire the ill disciplined rabble who embarrassed the country at the Union Buildings is to be greatly commended. Also the Gauteng government’s fortitude in seeing the BRT system through to its launch despite fervent opposition sends the right message. Now more than ever a message needs to be sent that social progress will not be sacrificed at the altar of selfish interests.
Another encouraging sign is our opposition’s realisation that they need to try a different strategy if they are to break the ANC’s monopoly on people’s trust. Let’s hope the coming years leading up to the next general election bring with them a more vibrant, honest and positive alternative style of opposition as opposed to the “ANC watch” we have been subjected to since the Nats left the Government of National Unity.
As for the big man himself, well he has lived up to expectations. Open, approachable, reconciliatory and quick to rebuke where necessary. His defenders will tout him as a man who calls it as it is, whereas his detractors still paint him as a charlatan who plays to the audience. Time will be the true test of his character, but for now, on the whole, the signs are good. The ball is still very much in the Presidents court to play. Let’s hope his next moves will be more Pele 1970 than Wallabies 2009.