2012.2.4

How the ANC Lost Its Way

/Page 34-38, TIME January 16, 2012/

Introduction

In every political system, imagemaking strategy exists for drawing people’s attention and getting their supports. I think there are two present examples that explain how effectively imagemaking on political group works for its growth and corruption. One of them is the ANC (African National Congress,) and another is Japanese government. The former was too good at controlling its image, and the latter is too poor. 

Briefing

• What has the ANC done for in the South Africa’s history?    

    The ANC was born as anti-apartheid group in the early 20th century, and won the election in 1994 by pushing Nelson Mandera as the country’s first democratic president. Everyone thought that the whole things was going better. But the country is still suffering from poverty, inequality, the violent crime, the HIV, and racial discrimination.  

• Why is the ANC blamed for the country’s hardship?

    Since the ANC got the power in 1994, its corruption had already begun. The government had the connection to the ANC, and unfairly provided government tenders to the members of the party. Such a phenomenon in South Africa is described as “tenderpreneur.”

• Why does such a corrupted political party still remain dominant?

    One good reason is the image of Nelson Mandera. He himself was clean and innocent, but too popular and influential. The ANC built his image on itself and requested people the loyalty to the party. Especially the grand parents generation are reluctant to deny the ANC because they spent many lives and much time for supporting Mandera and the party. 

Opinion

But there is a hope left. The rival party, Democratic Alliance (DA), is collecting supports in several regions. The problem is whether the party get corrupted like the ANC once it wins the election. Mandera’s example shows how dangerous it is to depend too much on the image of a legendary man, no matter who he is, and no matter what he has achieved.