Stop theatrics, Motlanthe tells leaders

641 23.06.2015 Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Charter the SAJBD hosted former President Kgalema Motlante to discuss the pioneering document and lessons for today at Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre, Great Park Synagogue in Houghton. Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng

641 23.06.2015 Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Charter the SAJBD hosted former President Kgalema Motlante to discuss the pioneering document and lessons for today at Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre, Great Park Synagogue in Houghton. Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng

Published Jun 26, 2015

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Johannesburg - Former deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe has made a clarion call to leaders in Parliament to do away with theatrics and rather focus on issues that matter most to the public.

Motlanthe was speaking during a ceremony hosted by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies in Joburg this week as part of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Freedom Charter in Kliptown, Soweto.

He said the commotion in Parliament hindered progress on pertinent matters, and the public would suffer the most.

“Those who send these people to legislatures really are disappointed. The public are not interested in theatrics, they have real issues,” said Motlanthe.

He said political leaders were indebted to their constituencies and they needed to learn to put their differences aside. “They are public representatives, they must be conscious that they do not represent their own agenda, they represent the public.”

Motlanthe said the popular discourse of social cohesion was in tune with the ideals enshrined in the Freedom Charter, but it would not be realised if citizens didn’t enjoy the dividends of democracy.

“National cohesion can only be achieved if all sections of the population feel that they belong and that is predicated upon equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy,” he said.

He added that good governance should be felt at the lowest spheres of government where “people should experience good governance from the level of a councillor in their ward”.

Speaking at the same event, Joburg mayor Parks Tau said his municipality would create space for community to play a role in governance, to pay homage to the ideals of the Freedom Charter.

“For example, we (the city of Joburg) are running a programme called Jozi@work which is intended to create community enterprises where we use these as a mechanism which we implement municipal service in the process creating broad-based community participation,” said Tau.

Former trade unionist Leon Levy said the government must know that people have high expectations.

“We can’t fully achieve the goals enshrined in the Freedom Charter if young people cannot access quality education. Young people have become impatient for change and they should,” he said.

However, Levy commended government for making great strides on issues related to gender equality.

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The Star

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