Rule is by public masters, not servants

I see two fundamentally opposed types of politician and people.

The first understands and believes in democracy. Good examples are Nelson Mandela and Helen Zille, Thuli Madonsela and, probably, Trevor Manuel. They know that however high they rise, they are and want to remain public servants.

Then there is the other kind who, unfortunately, run South Africa now. They pay lip service to democracy but believe they are public masters (never servants).

As soon as that fundamental difference is understood, all the issues of abuse such as blue-light convoys, excessive expenditure, patronage, corruption and service-delivery failure fall into place. Any attempts to regulate or redirect them is racist.

They have no problem undermining the essence of democracy: they know they and theirs will be all right, Jack. Pity about the rest.