Is the ANC afraid of losing power?

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AN open letter to the ANC leadership:

It has been quite a long time since I sat down and wrote a direct letter to someone, but the recent debacle around the FNB ads is worth a comment or two.

I was really disappointed at the way you guys reacted. The last time I looked, our constitution allowed for freedom of speech.

I know this little document called the constitution is not something you guys pay much attention to, but it is rather important, so I encourage you to go get a copy and give it a read – really riveting stuff. In fact, didn't you write it?

Anyway, my point is this: where do you get off bullying anyone into submission like you did with FNB? This reaction has shown how unbelievably desperate you are.

What are you afraid of – losing power? Well, let me tell you a small secret, before this decade is up, you will be out of government, the DA will be in charge and will be bringing hope back to all South Africans.

It is best that you accept that now rather than let it take you by surprise later.

Secondly, I find it rather odd that you would nail FNB for denting investor confidence. I really laughed at that.

I mean, let us just look at what you have done over the past few years since Jacob Zuma took over:

• Constant talk about nationalisation hasn't done investments any good;

• The behaviour of your alliance partner, Cosatu, in making outlandish demands for wage increases, and then getting violent every time it doesn't get its own way is certainly not attractive to foreign investors;

• Failure to curb the crime rate is something that bothers multi-conglomerates;

• Large-scale corruption and the lack of political will to address this generally doesn't help anyone – well, except those who want the tenders;

• An extremely poor education system.

I could go on and on, but I think the point is made. All the above I came up with without thinking too hard.

FNB? Well, they made an ad...

In 1994 we emerged as a truly great nation with an amazing hope and a future. Every time I watch the inauguration of Nelson Mandela on that incredible day, I am brought to tears. Those were tears of joy for a rainbow nation full of potential.

Today, though, I cry, not tears of joy, but tears of sorrow for a country that has lost much of that hope. I cry because the message of the FNB adverts will never be realised now – it was a message of hope – asking all South Africans to stand up and take responsibility for this great country again. But you squashed that, ANC. Thanks.

No, it's not FNB who should be apologising. It's you, ANC, who should apologise to the entire country for letting us down.