Can our leaders guide us through these troubled global waters?

The Iran Navy’s expeditionary base ship Shahid Mahdavi (110-3) photographed in False Bay, Cape Town, in January during the controversial Exercise Will for Peace conducted in South African waters. The ship has reportedly been sunk in the ongoing US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic. One of the Iranian navy warships we saw in our waters only a few weeks ago taking part in the controversial Exercise Will for Peace was reported to be among the casualties of the US-Israeli strikes against Iran.

The sinking of the Naghdi corvette is proof positive – if anyone needed it – as to how treacherous the waters South Africa is navigating through are at the moment. It’s an indication of how much above its weight our country under President Cyril Ramaphosa is boxing. And, as it goes in the rough sport of boxing, a lightweight – or more appropriately a mini flyweight in the case of South Africa – can look very impressing for a while, bobbing, jabbing away and displaying some fancy footwork.

That is, until a knockout punch lands on the face. Our Global South links are understandable. As a young democracy, we also cannot afford to forget our fraternal relationships.

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But in such violent geopolitical storms, South Africa needs something solid to hold on to. And the public must be kept abreast. During a visit to Tehran in 1992, former president Nelson Mandela was correct in praising the Iranian revolution of 1979 for giving our people “hope” during the fight against apartheid.

Iran also gave much-needed financial support to his party. The current leaders of the ANC should understandably value the historic ties. However, they mustn’t forget about the tenets upon which our democracy was founded.

They cannot ignore the human rights and economic crises Iran is facing. In recent months and weeks, we have observed puzzling events involving our country’s elites with regards to Iran. What’s worse is that these events were left unexplained to the man on the street – the pawns in these geopolitical games.

Ramaphosa would like us to believe that he’s getting the Will for Peace shenanigans investigated and dealt with. But, fellow South Africans, don’t hold your breath. The report that will come out of that exercise may not see the light of day.

We may never know what the real mission is these days, whether it is about party or personal benefits by a few elites. Just like we still are none the wiser about what really happened with Ramaphosa’s baffaloes and the stolen US dollar millions.

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