EDITORIAL: The political enigma that is Amushelelo
A lot has been written about Michael Amushelelo’s politics in recent weeks. Among the questions being posed is his relevance in our body politic, given the litany of his personal conduct outside his political life.
Many are asking whether he is a poisoned chalice, whose cancer of chaos may spread quickly to the organs of whatever body he injects himself into.
But one thing is clear: Amushelelo can no longer be wished away. We just have to learn to live with him. To many, his personal challenges, such as the mountain of criminal and civil cases he is carrying on his shoulders, are his own cross to carry.
To others, his moniker ‘The People’s General’ speaks to their daily struggles for justice in a country that has largely turned its back on its most vulnerable.
It is common sense that where a void of leadership exists, every Joe Sixpack that arrives with a promise or two would easily be embraced. People, especially the downtrodden, just want someone to hold on to.
To many, especially the exploited workers of our country, Amushelelo is the Moses of their time. His phone is flooded with calls and messages from people who desperately need the intervention of those with authority.
With no such authority in sight, at least when it comes to actually helping the most needy, Amushelelo is the low hanging fruit of their salvation. Whether his are gimmicks or genuine bleeding-hearted radical interventions, time will tell. For now, the jury is out, and the Amushelelo ship is surfing the wave.
Many are asking whether he is a poisoned chalice, whose cancer of chaos may spread quickly to the organs of whatever body he injects himself into.
But one thing is clear: Amushelelo can no longer be wished away. We just have to learn to live with him. To many, his personal challenges, such as the mountain of criminal and civil cases he is carrying on his shoulders, are his own cross to carry.
To others, his moniker ‘The People’s General’ speaks to their daily struggles for justice in a country that has largely turned its back on its most vulnerable.
It is common sense that where a void of leadership exists, every Joe Sixpack that arrives with a promise or two would easily be embraced. People, especially the downtrodden, just want someone to hold on to.
To many, especially the exploited workers of our country, Amushelelo is the Moses of their time. His phone is flooded with calls and messages from people who desperately need the intervention of those with authority.
With no such authority in sight, at least when it comes to actually helping the most needy, Amushelelo is the low hanging fruit of their salvation. Whether his are gimmicks or genuine bleeding-hearted radical interventions, time will tell. For now, the jury is out, and the Amushelelo ship is surfing the wave.
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