We Dare Not Fail Now that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) delivered its customary January “eighth” message - marching orders on how citizens of the Republic of South Africa shall be governed - we the people must never forget that we are the sole shareholders that have the power to ensure they live up to their promises. The ANC’s 2015 speech made bold that the Freedom Charter is not just its founding document, but its central ideas have found form in the policies and programs of government. Cognizant of the fact that the Freedom Charter has also greatly influenced the content and nature of the Constitution of our Republic, dare we remind the ANC to live up to the declaration made by our founding fathers and mothers, which said, “We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this constitution as the supreme law of the Republic so as to - heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values; social justice and fundamental human rights; ...improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person; and build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations.” Whatever the hindrances or impediments might be, however long and treacherous the journey, regardless of how discouraging and dispiriting the circumstances of the moment, the government of the day has to make true the spirit and letter of our constitution. When the task seems too daunting and in need of examples that could embolden them, our leaders should remember the Vietnam war. At the peak of the Vietnam/United States of America war, General William Childs Westmoreland (overall Commander of the U.S. Army) is reported to have sent a message to his counterpart, General Vo Nguyen Giap, stating: ‘You cannot win.’ Therefore, Implying that General Giap and his forces should throw in the towel because there was no chance in hell that they could win against the USA. Westmoreland’s confidence emanated from: having top-notch, cutting-edge military equipment his country had invested in the conflict; their highly trained personnel; and bottomless coffers. Indeed, the U.S. spent more than 300 billion dollars in that war, dropped ten million tons of bombs, with one town being bombed almost hourly for three years, and it committed thousands of its military men. As head of the U.S. invading forces, Westmoreland (nicknamed Westy) was a tall, tough looking Four Star General who graduated from the West Point Military Academy. Whereas, General Vo Nguyen Giap (Commander-in-Chief of the north Vietnamese forces) was a small unthreatening man. A former history teacher and reluctant soldier who only joined his people’s struggle because of what he saw as the injustice of being colonized. He led a guerrilla army that survived on limited funds and some aid from China and Russia. His army could not match the USA either in military equipment, expert training of personnel, nor in their strong financial backing. Yet, Giap’s response to General Westy’s message was unequivocal: ‘We cannot lose.’ Giap was aware of the US’s military might. He also knew that the northern Vietnamese backs were against the wall. But he was convinced that it was better to die standing and fighting than to live on their knees as colonial subjects. To the Vietnamese surrendering was not a viable option. With no one willing to back down, after tons of bloodshed, the opposing forces finally reached de tante in 1973. Two years later, Giap’s forces captured Saigon (south Vietnam’s capital city) and declared victory. As Giap drove into south Vietnam, scenes of pandemonium were captured on television with remaining American soldiers, civilians, and their south Vietnamese allies rushing to the airport to elude the clutches of Giap’s forces. America left Vietnam with their tail between their legs. For the first time in modern history their invincibility was dealt a heavy blow, and a modern David had defeated Goliath. The Vietnam story made many believe that no matter how insurmountable challenges may seem at first, victory belongs to the bold. Our beloved country South Africa may appear to be in an untenable situation, but with the confidence of a General Giap we should say: we cannot lose. Yes, we are like a cornered tiger and our only option is to fight to the bitter end. Failure is not on the cards.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 23:23:23 +0000
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