OPINION: The ANC has become a different animal
Resident and famous author questions the ruling party arguing that they no longer have the best interest of the masses at heart.
• Thabile Mange writes:
On January 8, the ANC turned 112. That’s a milestone. Few political parties reach that age.
The governing party has played an important role in the liberation of South Africa. And it is still central in the politics of this country.
The ANC has what it traditionally calls the January 8 statement, which is delivered by the party president. This year, the statement was delivered in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
The ANC’s January 8 statement used to be one of the most anticipated speeches. However, it has become one of those speeches. Why has it lost its significance? The governing party has failed to take the masses to the Promised Land. Instead, it focuses on power struggles and internal fights.
In addition, Ramaphosa’s party no longer has the best interest of the masses at heart. Instead, it is inward-looking and party members are fighting for tenders and business deals. That’s what has become of the former liberation movement.
The ANC used to have good leadership. Now poor leadership is the order of the day in the party. For instance, Fikile Mbalula is the worst Secretary-General that the party has ever had. Yet SG is a very important and critical position in the governing party.
Mbalula is a clown and speaks out of turn. He has previously attacked and criticised party elders, including former President Thabo Mbeki. On several occasions, he was forced to withdraw his statement and apologise. That means he has no respect for elders.
Also, the party’s finances are not in order. In the past, the ANC has failed to pay its staff. As a result, some have lost their houses and cars. If it cannot manage its finances, how will it manage the country’s?
The governing party uses cadre deployment to deploy members in government. However, the deployment is not based on merit. As a result, cadres who are occupying strategic positions in government are unqualified and incompetent. What kind of decisions do they make?
China implements cadre deployment as well and that country is doing very well. Why? Because their deployment is based on merit – and the cadres are trained and well-prepared for their roles.
The ANC has become a different animal. It has become corrupt and capitalist, though it preaches a socialist gospel. Its members are materialistic and money-minded. Whatever happened to serving the masses?
