Too easy for frauds and fools to gain leadership positions

It often happens that when you open a window to allow fresh air in, mosquitoes and other unwelcome critters come in with the breeze.

This is what the ruling party should expect as it goes around the country trying to bolster its membership.

Its Mvuselelo (renewal) campaign could burden the party with freeloaders and opportunists; it could give shady personalities a chance to become part of the governing elite.

A ruling party should be composed of individuals above reproach but, as we know only too well, there are many members who merely want to hitch a free ride on the gravy train .

When Nelson Mandela entered politics he was driven not by greed but by the deep desire to make life better for his people.

But standards have dropped.

Such high-mindedness is difficult to find these days.

In today's world, it is rare for political leaders to be altruists.

More often than not, they are simply takers, people whose chief ambition is personal gain instead of societal improvement. We see this diminished morality not only in political parties, but in many of our public institutions.

One's position is no longer the result of talent or skills but of political connections .

How can one justify the appointment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as the SABC's boss?

Those who argue that he has the necessary skills do not seem to understand that lying about one's credentials is no small crime.

It is also an insult that a man who did not even pass matric should enjoy wealth and prestige denied to most of those who spent years on diligent study.

For the nation to progress, we need better leaders.

We wish the ANC all the best in its recruitment drive, but we want leaders, not mosquitoes.

To lower our standards for leaders is to lower our expectations for this country.

Those who enter into the bloodstream of the body politic must bring nutrients, not toxins .

If our leaders do not meet the accepted standards for leadership, our country will not meet the accepted standards for progress.