No single party can turn local government around – Songezo Zibi, Rise Mzansi

702’s Clement Manyathela speaks with Songezo Zibi, Leader of Rise Mzansi and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

Listen below:

South Africa is faced with a myriad of problems, including corruption and poor governance.

With many of these issues dragging on for years, Zibi says it is hard to remain optimistic.

“I am battling to keep the hope alive… South Africa’s democratic state is failing its people.”

- Songezo Zibi, Leader - Rise Mzansi

However, he says hope is not a failed state yet, and South Africans can make a change.

Zibi is calling on South Africans to become more politically active and get involved in making a difference in the country.

This includes getting directly involved in politics and voting for the right people to lead.

“Right now, South Africa does not select its best to govern it. We have to be frank about this. You cannot ask a donkey to run the Durban July; it will not win, and that is what South Africans continuously do.”

- Songezo Zibi, Leader - Rise Mzansi

“Everyone needs to pick a team. Not doing so is negligent, irresponsible, and unpatriotic.”

- Songezo Zibi, Leader - Rise Mzansi

He adds that while we have plenty of skilled people in our country, the division created by having so many political parties is holding us back.

Moving forward, he feels parties need to truly collaborate and come together as a single organisation that puts forward the best of all their leadership.

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“There is not one single party that has enough talent to turn local government around.”

- Songezo Zibi, Leader - Rise Mzansi

“To drive change as fast as possible, you need South Africans to cooperate, and political parties cannot tell South Africans to cooperate when they don’t.”

- Songezo Zibi, Leader - Rise Mzansi

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