Sam Basil and Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela rose from the dead and delivered to South Africa.
Although he died a couple of years ago, he remains one of the world’s iconic leaders of modern times.
His bravery is unmatched.
His wait to deliver political, social and economic freedom for his people came at a cost much more than what Sam Basil would have paid.
Mandela was a political prisoner and he spent 27 years in prison., yet he didn’t give up hope.
While in prison, he treated hour like second, day like hour and year like a week and he said to himself, “Tomorrow is coming”.
When Basil fought against the ruling the PNC party back then, people’s hope was ignited. However, Basil only waited for two terms (less than eight years) and he became exhausted and forgot about the people under his command.
Coming at a time when the country’s debt level is increasing, the introduction of trial-and-error method of educational curriculum, and poor health standard enabling parliamentarians to seek medical treatment overseas while leaving their people to suffer at home, there are lots to be debated and Papua New Guinea needs a very strong and resilient Opposition to provide the checks and balances to keep the Government on the straight and narrow.
If a small, resourceless country like Fiji can maintain its economic stability during challenging times like this, why would a giant in the oil, gas, copper and gold business like PNG fail and continue to blame the rest of the world for it?
How did past governments lead this country to survive well at a time when there was no LNG project and fewer investment projects.
As for Sam Basil, he surrendered his birthright and PNG’s hope for a soup bean and his future comeback is at stake.
Basil’s wait in Parliament is nothing compared to Mandela’s time in prison.
So sorry Sam Basil, you have betrayed the master you served and you will pay for it.

Rodney Peawi
Dysox St
Lae