South Africa's image suffered severe damage in the nine years that President Jacob Zuma was at the steer of things. The government can now choose to either continue down this path of destruction or set out in a new direction so as to repair the country's international image and make it more appealing.
At the African Union, South Africa said that it will continue to advocate for justice and peace in the world.
Concerning the issue of Palestine and Israel, the Minister, Naledi Pandor, neglected to state whether the South African government is still committed to a two-state solution for the region or whether Israel has the right to protect its sovereignty and its citizens. It is important and the FF Plus would like to know.
The Minister recently told her staff that values and integrity are important to her and that she despises corruption. South Africa has, however, become a country where there are no consequences.
Shining examples are Zinzi Mandela-Hlongwane, South Africa's ambassador in Denmark, and Bruce Koloane, our ambassador in the Netherlands.
Mandela-Hlongwane recently stated on social media that white South Africans are 'land thieves … who are like those uninvited visitors who don’t want to leave'. She also disparaged white South Africans as rapists and descendants of Van Riebeeck. She was rapped on the knuckles, but that was all.
And afterwards, she continued to make degrading comments on twitter. And yet her appointment was extended to the end of the year. It is unacceptable.
Concerning Koloane, all fingers seem to be pointing at him for his involvement in the Gupta landing at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, but he basically bore no consequences. He was suspended for two months after which he was promoted to ambassador in the Netherlands.
This cannot be tolerated. The FF Plus is calling on the Minister to practice what she preaches by taking strict action against the offenders in such cases.
South Africa must start taking its poor economic condition into account when it appoints representatives abroad. These representatives are important, but what is more important is whether the country can afford it or not.
Contact numbers: 083 626 1497 / 065 801 7216
