Mpofu urges youth to stand up for themselves

Today’s youth must stand up and form institutions that are unapologetic to the current situation in South Africa says Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh at his book launch, “Democracy and Delusion: 10 MYTHS of South African Politics” in Khayelithsa at the weekend.

Sizwe, 28 is the son of Dali Mpofu the national chairperson of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Mpofu-Walsh was part of the hiphop group Entity and has since released a song called “Mr President” in which he criticises President Jacob Zuma.

Since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, 1994, very little progress in terms of what the ANC government promised has been achieved according to Sizwe.

It took him three years to complete writing the 178-page book. Sizwe says he was not influenced by anyone in writing the book but that its content is informed by observation of the economic and political terrain of the country.

Asked what moved him to write the book Sizwe says, “I was just frustrated by what is going on in South African politics, watching corruption, lack of racial justice, lack of justice for people at Marikana and just seeing our country decline. I thought someone must paint a picture of what is going on but also how we can get out of it and propose some solutions.”

“At the age of 25, I noted that promises made by the government in terms of a better life for all are not achieved. Studying at Oxford University gave me a chance to take note of what is happening in South Africa from afar and that is when I decided to contribute through writing the book,” says Sizwe, currently pursuing a doctorate in international relations.

In the book he questions whether there is democracy or delusion in South Africa.

“We have been told this story by the ANC government that freedom is coming and things will get better if we wait long enough but it is now over two decades and it seems things are going backwards and people are starting to question whether it is a democracy or a delusion.”

In the book Sizwe highlights what he considers progress and the set backs.

“There is progress in terms of freedom of expression, the right to vote and freedom of religious affiliation but not much material progress is noted in justice especially on land expropriation, service delivery, racism and free education,” he says.

On what the way forward might be to address this country’s historical legacies, Mpofu is clear.

Land Expropriation!: he believes the government should give title deeds to rural people and that commercial land should be expropriated without compensation. And of course, Free Education!

“I believe the time has come for new people (the youth) to come up with new perspectives. They must be an unapologetic generation because the wait-and-see period is long enough and it does not work to the betterment of the rest of the South African,” he says.