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DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko. Photo: Matthew Jordaan
It was a rough Valentine’s Day for DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko when she came under fire from the ANC’s big guns on Tuesday.
“The honourable leader of the opposition is not only grossly inexperienced, she is also hopelessly clueless,” said Public Enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba.
He was the ANC’s sweeper in the debate on President Jacob Zuma’s state of the nation address.
Mazibuko, who is serving her first term as an MP, shot up the ranks late last year after beating her veteran politician colleague, Athol Trollip, in a close contest to become DA parliamentary leader.
The “alternative vision” she spelled out for the country in her speech on Tuesday provoked scathing responses from both Gigaba and National Planning minister Trevor Manuel.
Manuel accused Mazibuko of dreaming after she spoke about bringing people together, bridging the racial and economic divide and achieving “lasting reconciliation” by providing people with “real opportunity”.
“Lindiwe, it’s not just about dreams, it’s about living out those dreams and making sacrifices,” Manuel said, quoting the Peter Tosh song on “everybody wanting to go to heaven, but nobody wanting to die”.
Gigaba described her speech as a “mere pipedream and incoherent wish-list”.
He said it had reminded him “of where we were in 1994 and how far we have progressed since then, when we still stood at the dawn of freedom”.
Zuma had taken the country “into the future” with his speech, Gigaba said.
Even DA leader Helen Zille had applauded his announcement of massive investment in infrastructure, and had urged the government to “cut the red tape” to create jobs, while a “camera-prone” (sic) Mazibuko had chosen rather to “please her constituency eager for doomsday news”.
Seizing on the discrepancy in their responses to Zuma’s speech on Thursday, Gigaba tried to drive in a wedge by referring to the “starkest contrast” between Zille, who as Western Cape premier had been exposed “to the challenges and intricacies of running a government” – and Mazibuko, “whose only experience is as an opponent who has never had to lift a finger to do anything”.
In another jibe at Mazibuko, who attended a posh girls’ boarding school, Gigaba referred to “those amongst us whose constituencies exist beyond the boundaries of suburban comfort” as properly understanding what was needed to allow all citizens decent work and dignified living standards.
But while she got no bouquets, Mazibuko will probably have welcomed the brickbats as preferable to being ignored. - Political Bureau
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@Jabu, wrote
Did any of the current ANC parliamentarians have previous experience when they got into government? No! At least she has an education which gives her a better footing, don't you think? I don't think you have to come from an impoverished family to have empathy for those who are in that situation or try to improve it. So firstly the DA didn't have enough blacks and that was a problem, now you label Lindiwe window dressing. When will people like you be satisfied?
Gert, wrote
...and that's why Manuel and Gigaba have to keep race differentiaion and apartheid alive as long as possible. If you take the pre-1994 struggle away they have nothing to offer anymore.....and that's why the last couple of years have taught us that struggle organizations should never be allowed as political parties, because, once the honeymoon is over they simply do not know how to run the company. That's why 8 out of 9 provinces in this country is falling to pieces.....
Jabu, wrote
The fact that the ANC government has its failings does not mean we must accept Mazibuko to lead us up the garden path. Of course she has no experience in holding any government office. She does not have any understanding of what it is like to have no job, no income, no shelter and being uneducated or brought up by uneducated parents who are not able to help you even with the easiest homework. She does not know what it is like to face the struggle of survival. Her DA is the party for the rich. Those rich have unjustly acquired their wealth through apartheid system's policy of cheap Black labour, job reservetaions, racial discrimination, etc. To me, Ms. Mazibuko is nothing more than a window dressing puppet for the DA. She never says anything that will advance this country or this generation. Yes the ANC has committed some horrible blunders, and I will never condon the corruption and resource plundering they are doing. But the DA is no saint either! If Ms. Mazibuko cannot handle the heat, she must get out of the kitchen. This is politics, not a kindergarten paly.
all blacks supporter, wrote
I suppose they all thought that Madiba's rainbow nation dream was a pipe dream as well? Why did those clowns not say anything then? Mazibuko has the right idea and shows that ANC does not want racial harmony.Shame on those racists that just the other day called DA a white party.They were also young once, but they are set in undermining the poor girl for their own selfish gains.
Anonymous, wrote
As sit here at my office desk, I think of how my life has turned out. I know english and even speak it with the "coconut accent", I went to "model c" schools, I have a degree from a university in Cape Town. I know how to use a computer, I now stay in a leafy suburb in Cape Town, my 4yr old goes to a multi-racial creche. Her father is a doctor. Makes one wonder if I would have achieved ANY of these or if I would be where I am today, had the ANC not fought for racial equality. I am 29 and feel free, I don't have to carry a dompass, I know my rights. My Mother is a teacher, she speaks english but has never used a computer, has never had the opportunity to do what she wanted to. She started working in 1972 but has never really been able to reach her dreams. By the time 1994 came, her youth was gone, she had me to raise, she could not travel the world, she could not even go to the former Traskei without a passport. You look at me, you see post 1994, you look at my elders, you see pre 1994. I'm grateful to the ANC.
sdjkofh, wrote
The ANC does have a lot more experience in corruption and maladministration. They looted and plundered more than 3 Billion in less than 1 year alone and every government department is a total mess.
democrat, wrote
Nothing but a demeaning ad hominem attack on the new generation. Totally unwarranted from Manuel and Gigaba, of whom we'd expect better. Evasive, defensive, aggressive and uncalled-for. The country needs real vision and Parliament is the place to demand it, if anywhere. Listen to her - she is the face of our future.
Gee, wrote
The ANC can say what they like about Zuma's speech. Just look up Buthelezi's reply to it in yesterdays news. He hits the nail on the head about all the ANC and especially Zuma's failings.
The Rajah, wrote
Despite being hailed as a hero during his tenure as Finance Minser, citizens, especially the ppporest of the poor are today feeling the net effect of Trevor Manuels' skewed policies. I hold the view that he creatively formulated the plan to make central government appear to be benevolent in the greater scheme of things while forcing local government and municipalities to squeeze their residents with the imposition of "fees" and other costs to fund themselves. This resulted in billions accumulating in state coffers with incompetent ministersdirectors (or whatever they wish to call themselves)being ill-equipped to manage these funds. It created an opportunity therefore for them to "spend" this money without necessarily following due process leading to gross corruption and mismanagement which is now out of control. In the meantime, the creative schemes hatched by local government to fund themselves is still in place which in my view is double (and in some instances quadruple) taxation cleverly disguised as fees for delivery of basic and essential services. TM should be ashamed of himself like most of his compatriots who know no other way to make a living than to be politicians and cling on to power by whatever means necessary including interference in any attempt by well meaning citizens to rectify the situation.
Reto, wrote
Attacking a young female is modus operandi for ANC. - lets talk about how the ANC has helped women in 20 years.
Anonymous, wrote
Yeah, all you current old f**ckers have really, really made a difference. I'm totally not going to listen to someone new. I'm going to stick with whats broken. go TEAM !
Anonymous, wrote
Lavenda, wrote
DA veteran should have not been fired actually.How can ordinary South Africans do it to her ? HOW ?
Peter, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
It would seem that anyone, irrespective of colour, who dares critisise the ANC is a traitor and should be insulted if not humiliated. Each one in the ANC, and in this case no better example than Manual, acquired their jobs as a result of participating inthe struggle. No matter that they were grossly inept at it, once again nobody more than Manuel. This lady is a breath of fresh air and probably too distant from that struggle. You need to go forward South Africa, not tread water with the cadres.
Ed, wrote
Strange how the ANC has brains to critique the DA's opinion of the nursery rhymes Zuma read to the nation last week but cannot find it within themselves to apply the same and fix their rotten government. A party foll of corrupt people plus intellectuals for hire who are not really interested in the welfare of the people. Man, if only South Africans can wake up and vote these thugs out of office once and for all. The ANC has outgrown it's relevance to South Africa and needs to be removed by the ballot before Zuma & Company start dismantling what many sacrificed their lives for. The goons are truly running the asylum.
Hangmann, wrote
Trevor, you may be living your dream but at least give a sh!t for those that vote for you. Most have dreams that they're not living and the likes of you gravy-train riders aren't able to deliver.
Anonymous, wrote
what do you say about the shower man who is having alligation pending around his head,uneducated 'what is it that he had done for the people of south africa,he promised the citizens about 5000 job creation,did that happened?now he wants to change the constitutional court,its obvious he wants to be above the law,GIGABA FIX YOUR FATHER BEFORE U GO TO OUR SISTER.
Frank Hartry, wrote
M. anuel is just a waffler. He waffles on and on but says nothing constructive. What does he do exactly? He and Patel are grossly over bloated over paid and do nothing but waffle.
Fela, wrote
Lindi babe hahahahahaha come home and feel real coffee. I know your type who think black people are responsible for Apartheid. I can't stop laughing every time I look at you. Lindi hahahahahahah haikhona Frans Fanon is saying I told you guys,
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