As an Argus reader of many decades, sometimes a sincere contributor has the ability to impact.
The editor’s opinion on Monday 18th April was such a moment. I was elated as I read the honouring of Ashraf Arendse 24yrs from Manenberg who graduated with a degree in Social Work and Jillian Hill 33yrs previously from Bonteheuwel who had completed her PhD. Carol Williams 22yrs from Hanover Park a Masters Law student and Dale Hendricks 22yrs from Manenberg studying for a Masters in Criminal Justice, you have earned the honour bestowed on you by the editor.
While Apartheid may have tried its best to destroy the hopes, dreams and aspirations of millions you survived and succeeded against remarkable odds, and for that you deserve to be acknowledged.
While Democratic Alliance (DA) and African National Congress (ANC) politicians continue to blame each other and at the same time deal covertly with gangsters, the God of Abraham watches them.
For years we have read in the media about the claims and counter claims by politicians while innocent kids are killed on the streets of Bonteheuwel, Manenberg, Hanover Park and Mitchells Plain etc.
Ironically every election the same politicians emit their false promises at the people who are terrorised by gangsters.
Sadly the ANC probably does not care about the voters in Bonteheuwel, Manenberg, Hanover Park and Mitchells Plain etc. as the vast majority regularly vote for the DA. Ironically since the people already vote for the DA the DA does not have to do anything, just blame any failure on the ANC.
Little in these war-zones will change until the people in these areas reject both the ANC and the DA.
As politicians often lie to sustain their lifestyles it is the duty of the media to extract truth from the lies.
Also people need positive self-reflection that tells the success stories as the editor did in his column on the opinion page. We need to believe in the future of our city, our region, our province and nation.
Like Murray Williams in his article “A prayer for everyone who is hanging on” we need the silver lining in the dark cloud that so often circles our lives. We need positive change in the world that surrounds us as those whom we have previously elected via democratic processes continue to fail us. This does not imply that we have lost hope in the democratic process, just in the politicians who betray us.
While people are able to make a difference with the vote, we need the media to guide us with the truth so that we can make informed choices as the blame game between the ANC and DA has no value.
In the words of the wise it is duty of every human to think for themselves.
Cllr Yagyah Adams
Cape Muslim Congress