Keith Maphuta, a youth leader of the African National Congress in Alex urged party members and constituents to support the leadership of party president Cyril Ramaphosa in steering the country back on its transformation agenda.
This, as the party is preoccupied with the transition from the Jacob Zuma-led administration.
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Maphuta said Alex youth and most party members overwhelmingly lobbied for Ramaphosa who they expected to return the party to its mandate of being a unifier and leader of society.
“His [Ramaphosa] team should bridge the social distance past leadership created from society and deal with erring members seeking to destroy the party’s revered morals from within,” said Maphutha.
He added that this should be a priority for the Integrity Commission whose powers were restored as part of the party’s renewal mandate to ensure respect for the party and government constitutions, restore confidence in the party and confront corrupt tendencies.
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In addition, the commission would improve relations with law enforcement agencies and ensure prosecution of erring individuals without fear or favour, regardless of their position in the party and government. “We expect prosecutions and convictions of those found guilty at all levels for unduly benefiting self, family and cliques from public resources…. to have them pay back [ill gotten gains] and not be entrusted again with public responsibilities.”
Maphutha added that the past administration’s errors were lessons Ramaphosa shouldn’t repeat. “He needs space to prove himself by restoring party morality and values, ensure synergy and transparency between the party and national constitutions, and restore public confidence in those entrusted with responsibilities and resources at all levels.”
He said Zuma’s affable character may have been taken advantage of and that he had used his humility recklessly. The president had let his love for family, friends and some comrades cloud his thinking and judgement.
Maphutha added that the youth expected Ramaphosa to expedite implementing a new mandate on free tertiary education for which the league was vilified for during its 10 years of lobbying.
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“We need clarity on its [tertiary education] phased implementation after its surprise announcement without a clear strategy and plan by Zuma on the eve of the party’s December conference.
“Radical economic transformation in the future will require educated and knowledgeable young drivers and clear policies.”
He urged the government to reintroduce pure maths in high schools and for a speedy resolution of the language policy debacle which has delayed the opening of some schools.
“It needs a bold leadership implementing Constitutional requirements and regulations entitling children access to schools in their areas.” Maphutha also called for the improvement of TVET college programmes which he said were unsuitable for an advanced technologically driven economy.
Changing course, he urged for haste in ensuring land expropriation without compensation saying it would restore everyone’s freedom and dignity by providing the means to a livelihood.
Details: Keith Maphutha 073 071 2809
