Brilliant!!!! On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 9:38 AM, Dominic.Tweedie <[email protected]>wrote:
> > [image: Business Day] > > > *Independent thinking within ANC* > > > *Sandile Memela, Letters, Business Day, 7 February 2011* > > Raymond Louw may be correct that some members of the ruling African > National Congress (ANC) reveal a tame and timid face that lacks independence > of mind (Board members cannot serve the broadcaster and ANC, February 3). > > But it is incorrect and illogical to make the assertion that members of the > ANC, generally, find it impossible to enjoy independence of thought and > self-expression. > > We have to acknowledge that since its inception, the ANC has produced great > thinkers, writers and journalists who have played a pivotal role in the > development and growth of a free media in history. > > These individuals will include outstanding activists and leaders in the ANC > tradition who have shaped, moulded and defined the role of the media and > journalists in society. > > Names that randomly come to mind would include John Dube, Sol Plaatje, RW > Rubusana, Govan Mbeki, Ruth First, Alex la Guma, Mzala Nxumalo, Pallo Jordan > and Joel Netshitenzhe, to name a few. > > Without defending the calibre of Lumko Mtimde, there is a vibrant tradition > of independent thinking and individual self-determination that has been > passed on to younger ANC members. > > A reading of Mr Mtimde’s answers to the SABC interviewing panel should also > entertain the idea that he is determined not only to assert his independence > of thought but commit to nurturing freedom of expression and independent > thinking in the media. > > Where there is no encouragement and affirmation of individuals who are > willing to prove that they can be members of the ANC and still be > independent, neither the organisation nor society can have moral commitment. > > What it is likely to produce is just an unending list of "yes men" who tow > the party political line for personal gain and accomplishment. > > With the maturing of our democracy, the ANC should be aware that without > credibility, the members that it "deploys" to public institutions will only > threaten its own integrity and destabilise society. > > Relatively young men like Mr Mtimde deserve the benefit of the doubt that > has been given to his fellow comrade and business executive, John Danana, > for instance. > > If we cannot apply the same standards to judging members of the same party, > it becomes easy to suspect a vindictive agenda which says only those who > come from business circles should be given the benefit of the doubt. > > What I wish to propose here is encouraging the view that it is possible to > be a member of the ANC and enjoy independence of mind. > > At present, there are far too many men and women who sit on ANC- appointed > boards for personal accomplishment and cautious adjustment to clandestine > instructions. For this society, especially public entities, to be what it > ought to be, let us not prejudge ANC members who claim independence of > thought, but let their actions do the talking. > > History is the best judge. > > Also, they cannot fool all the people all the time. > > *Sandile Memela > > Midrand* > > *From: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=133569* > * * > > > > -- > You are subscribed. This footer can help you. > Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to > this message. > You can visit the group WEB SITE at > http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery > options, pages, files and membership. > To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected]. > You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to > put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to > this address (repeat): [email protected] . > -- Gugu Ndima +27 76 783 1516 -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
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