Malcolm Gladwell in his book, The Tipping Point, argues that there always come a time when a status quo cannot be defended any further, when change is inevitable. The intelligent ones in the ANC have since realized this, and have thrown away the book of parody, spit on it, cursing it as a soporiferous malaise and a public embarrassment. For some, though, ‘defending the revolution' is still an historic mission. They have formed themselves into a crusade that continues the tradition of hailing insults at those who challenge the establishment.
They treat with disdain those who ask why should Jacob Zuma not have his day in Court; why should Jacob Zuma use State money to enrich himself and his family; why should Jacob Zuma surround himself with people with questionable characters, yet continue to be the custodian of our Constitution. This crusade is in Parliament to cheer for Zuma when ever he giggles or fumbles - this, according to them, is an historic mission.
Malcolm Gladwell tells us that change in most cases (at a tipping point) does not announce itself, and does not call for consensus.
In our Azanian context, change is heralded by burning tyres and thrashed dustbins. This is an ANC created culture and has become a symbolic sign of impatience and anger. At its summit, there are blood droplets, normally, blood of the innocent.
Yes, it appears, we are at the tipping point.
The State President is on the run (Public Protector is breathing on his neck)! The ANC is on the defensive (its an historic mission)! In Parliament there is a banging of tables. Police are inside the chambers. Maybe there will be blood in Parliament - as there is blood in the streets, blood in the koppie, blood in the mine shafts and blood in the taxi rank. Blood of no one from those wielding economic or cultural power, but blood of the innocent, those seeking answers. As expected, ANC is drawing much of this blood, as it did during the dark days of apartheid and racism. Give it any fancy name if you will, all that matters is that Steve Biko is turning on his grave!
Some call this anarchy, when some of us call it ANC culture. Frustrating the opposition is an ANC culture burrowed straight from the Nationalist Party. Using State machinary to entrench hegemony is an ANC culture, straight from colonisers' political classes.
George Orwell in his Animal Farm says at the end of it all, it becomes difficult to differentiate a Pig from a Man, especially when a Pig seeks to outsmart a Man from the game that a Pig has just been introduced to. Yes, with time, ANC will teach colonisers of the world how to oppress in modern times, and still wear a democratic smile. Franz Fanon says when former oppressed become oppressors of their own kind, it become excrutiating. At this point, even memories of the guillotine become tantalising than occasional national elections, and food parcels.
Anarchy is now a shared commodity, as EFF has vowed to use it against the ANC what the ANC has used against the Nationalist Party. This is what Malcom X referred to as a case of Chickens Coming Home to Roost. Malcom X says there is nothing wrong in watching chickens coming back home to roost. The question is, where are the people? Should we be spectators as our representatives seek to outsmart each other in the game of anarchy, or should we let the anarchy brewed in our service delivery protest be mirrored in our National Parliament? Where will this end? Steve Biko answers, Only Time Will tell.
Funani ka Ntontela is a former member of AZAPO National Communication Desk
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