The symbolic Truth and Reconciliation Commission sidelined many people including my own father. So, it is difficult to be objective in this story, as a journalist, a son and citizen that loves this country. We failed to put the matters to rest a long time ago. While people are busking in cold poverty, others continue to enjoy life. From apartheid days, right into what is called freedom, people continue live The Life. Despite their hands being stained with blood of many who yearned for a just South Africa.
The real cock up is when the new dispensation failed to make the oppressor meet the oppressed halfway. Instead the oppressed, in the form of Nelson Mandela, walked all the way to the oppressed to say "We forgive you" before anyone could hear what exactly what are we forgiving. And then the TRC ended, a massive backlog and politicians with ambitions that did not include aspirations of the majority of this country. So, the day must pause and focus on whether Eugene de Kock must be released or not?
The new government is unable to show decisive leadership because the loose ends were not tied up before trying to implement the new Constitution. If we as a country, had dealt with the past with some conviction, people like Schabir Shaick would not be subject that we have to explain and defend why they happened. If Batho Pele was in our DNA we would not be talking about Mbulelo Goniwe, Tony Yengenin, Nkandla or the arms deal today. We would have set an example with those who committed crimes against humanity before and after 1994. We have a serious backlog. That's where the Cock Up comes from. We would not have the Eugene de Kock discussion right now.
Instead today we have a government that undermines the Public Protector and we have the opposition that just finds fault and misses out on inspiring our people. The DA is so passionate about the SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng, but they don't even watch the SABC. I asked on DA politician what his favourite show was on the public broadcaster's channel. Took her 12 minutes to answer. Anyway, the issue here is Eugene de Kock, who the opposition parties are mum and saying nothing about how wounded we are as a nation. They sit and wait for the ANC government to make mistake so they can make noise and annoy me. People remain uninspired, poor and sad.
So, Eugene de Kock can't be getting attention he is getting now. We have a serious backlog to deal with.
