WHAT QUALIFIES PEOPLE AS POLITICAL ANALYSTS!.

The South African mainstream media especially the current affairs is populated with all sorts of so-called political analysts , but most if not all subscribe to similar ideological convictions namely Liberalism and Neo-Liberalism. Of course it is not coincident that all these so-called analysts are paraded in our TV screens and radios, they are a vital cog in the machinery of the neo-liberal system, it is safe to refer to them as the "buttering rams". They always sing from a similar hymn book ,their analyses are well choreographed to defend the status quo, majority of these so-called analysts are drawn from the Universities which goes some way in explaining their position and vested interests in defending the status quo. They are already part of the system and are benefiting handsomely , it is only logical that they would  not want to rock the boat so to speak.

Those who hold the views and positions which are diametrically opposed to Capitalism and neo-liberalism are suffocated and denied similar platforms provided to the pro-establishment analysts. We cannot be able to understand the reasoning behind this phenomenon outside of understanding the ideology underpinning the status quo, the media is part of the ideological apparatus which are deployed to advance and defend the interests of the status quo. The ruling class is using the media , especially the mainstream media to disseminate its ideas. It is Karl Marx who taught us that the dominant ideas in society are those of the ruling class. I mean we are subjected to the mediocre analyses of popcorn analysts such as Prince Mashile who are hired guns of the ruling class, these lot offers no concrete analysis .

We are compelled to ask the question what qualifies people to be regarded as political analysts?

Is it a case of utilizing people who are in the academia and are involved in the Political faculty as political analysts, is that enough to qualify one as a political analyst?.

Shouldn't activism, or a track record of activism be one of the main requirements to qualify anyone as a political analyst worth of his or her salt. This is important because these political analysts are paraded in our national media platforms and their views go a long way in shaping the discourse and narratives in society. Most of these so-called political analysts that we are subjected to have no proven track record as political activists ,now it forces us to ask a question how can they analyse something they have never been part of and are only relying on the books instead of coupling it with real and concrete experience from the ground.

As people who hold a different view and perspective from those of the ruling class we ought to explore alternative platforms to disseminate and propagate our ideas.

It is definitely a battle of ideas and we have to be alive to the reality that the mainstream media which is controlled by the ruling class will never make its platforms available to those who are opposed to the status quo.

By

Teboho Sekhosana

Political and Social Activist

0844361494

sekhosanateboho@gmail.com