WE ARE SITTING ON A TIME BOMB
By Dr Fred M’membe
Comrade Thabo Mbeki, the former South African president, has warned that the country could see an uprising similar to the Arab Spring, triggered by mounting discontent among South Africans.
Comrade Mbeki made the comments on the back of the country’s record-high unemployment, concerning crime trends and energy insecurity. He said while the government was aware of the brewing frustrations among citizens, the anger could lead to a repeat of last year’s deadly July unrest.
Comrade Mbeki has also criticised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration, saying that it had failed to implement key structural reforms since making several commitments at this year’s State on the Nation Address. He was speaking at the memorial service of the late ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte in Johannesburg on Thursday night.
“Comrade president Cyril Ramaphosa, when he delivered the State of the Nation Address in February said in 100 days there must be agreed a comprehensive social compact to address these matters. Nothing has happened, nothing,” said Comrade Mbeki.
This is a timely warning not only for the political leadership of South Africa but the whole continent. We are sitting on a time bomb!
Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party