Where is the Mandela in our leaders?

Dec 11, 2013 Letters

Dear Editor,
ONE of the best responses to Nelson Mandela’s passing is for the leaders of the ruling oligarchy not to pretend that they are his friends but to honor his legacy of peace, reconciliation and a commitment to uplifting the lives of all the citizens of Guyana.
Actually, this is the hallmark of an honest, caring and incorruptible politician. It is without a doubt that Nelson Mandela is proof that such politicians do exist but not in Guyana. He forgave those who did him wrong, promoted peace, equality and harmony, and nurtured others to do likewise.
As we hear, the numerous tributes from the leaders of the ruling cabal here, recounting the courage and magnanimity of Mandela, we wonder how many will listen to themselves, will take the time to ponder the nice words, and act on them.
Mandela was not corrupt, greedy or spiteful and was never interested in personal wealth or in using the state resources to fatten his pocket and those of his relatives and friends as is the case in Guyana. He was for justice and equality and during his tenure as president he did not use his power to marginalize any ethnic groups or promote ethnic superiority, something he could have easily done because of the treatment he received.
We believe that real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people. But if we are to use this as a yardstick to measure those in the regime then no one is qualified to be called a leader. No one is asking any of our leaders to spend 27 years in jail protesting against injustice by an evil regime. Our national heroes have already sacrificed their lives and braved the authorities to win for us our basic rights. What we are asking of those in the PPP leadership is to afford every Guyanese regardless of their ethnicity or party affiliations the right to have a job, to obtain a contract from the government, earn a decent salary, to have equal access to the state resources and to enjoy a safe and just society.
We are not heartened by the Minister of Home Affairs incompetency and lack of skills to reduce crime and his silly statement that the blame game over garbage removal in the city is good politics. Only idiots make such foolish remarks.
We call on the minister to tell the nation what good comes to Guyana when innocent law abiding citizens are robbed and murdered in their homes or at their place of work. Furthermore, we are not impressed with the lies made recently by two ministers who Dr. Luncheon had to publicly rebuke. These ministers have sworn to tell the truth and the fact that they have lied to the nation and have not been fired shows that they are not accountable to anyone but themselves.
This is the clique that is pretending to mourn Mandela’s death. Well, we want them to know that Mandela was neither a phony nor a hypocrite by any stretch of the imagination. He was a genuine human being who was committed to freedom, justice and fairness.
We are saying to the leaders of the PPP let the people see the Mandela in you. Let them see the unflinching courage, the perseverance, the passion and the genuine commitment to free the people from crime and illiteracy.
Let the people see the Mandela in their president, who will insist on the highest professional standards of accountability, transparency and good governance. Let the people see the Mandela in you, who will tackle corruption, establish the Procurement Commission, the Integrity Commission, the Ombudsman’s office, respect for the people and the Constitution and assent to the Bills passed by Parliament.
Let us see the Mandela in the president, who will create employment for the youths, improve the pensions of seniors from $12,500 per month to $20,000, reduce VAT by two percent, give the workers a minimum pay increase of 10 per cent per year, stop the marginalization of one ethnic group, improve the lives of the poor and the working class, and stop denying those who are not members of the PPP to have free and equal access to all government services.
Let us see the Mandela in you, who are not greedy, selfish, vindictive, and will distribute the state resources equally among all and not just among their friends and relatives.
Finally we believe that the PPP is a hypocrite to hold any activity honoring Mr. Mandela.
Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh

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