African National Congress President, Cyril Ramaphosa, urged party members to be united and stop factionalism as it will destroy the party ahead of the 2019 elections.
Ramaphosa was speaking during the ANC Top six visits to the Vatsonga Machangani Traditional leaders in Mavambe village, outside Giyani on Saturday February 2 .
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“Many people had prophesied the end of the ANC during the 54th Conference held in Narsec in December because of the divisions and factionalism that was visible in the party, with some supporting Ramaphosa and some supporting Dr Nkosana Dlamini-Zuma, but in Nasrec the branches has given us the mandate that we must be united and end factions within the organisation,” said Ramaphosa.
He said ANC branches have spoken.
“Whether we like it or not, we must be united.”
Ramaphosa also spoke about rooting out corruption within the organisation and government.
“Those who are amongst us and are corrupt must be exposed and rooted out, because one potato can destroy the whole package. We cannot hide corruption and this will make people lose confidence towards the ANC,” said Ramaphosa.
He also urged traditional leaders to work together with the government, in order to bring services to the people as they all lead the people.
“We have embarked in a campaign of visiting all our traditional leaders and to report to them about what took place during the 54th ANC December conference and to strengthen our relationship with them, we urge our traditional leaders to work with us in order to take services to the people as we are all leading the people,” said Ramaphosa.
He also asked for permission to allow ANC to campaign in their villages.
Chief Phyllia N’wamitwa, a chairwoman of Vatsonga Machangani Royal Unity Council, applauded the ANC top six for visiting them as traditional leaders and she also asked Ramaphosa to recognise them as a kingdom, as they are the only tribe in the country that has no kingship.
“As Vatsonga machangani traditional leaders we are so happy and feel honoured by the ANC top six visit and this shows that we are recognised as the nation, however we are asking for the kingdom Mr President as we are the only tribe without a king,” she said.
Chief Xilungwa Mhinga of Minga outside Giyani, also condemned tribalism that is taking place in the Vuwani area, whereby people from Vuwani don’t want to fall under the newly mergered municipality (Malamulele, Vuwani and Hlanganani area to form one Municipality).
“We urge you as the top six of the ANC to intervene in the issue of Vuwani because you have power as Matsonga Machangani we don’t want the divided Vhembe region as we are one people, no Venda or Tsonga speaking people but we are one big family” said Mhinga.
The ANC Top six also paid courtesy visit to VaVenda King, Toni Mphephu- Ramabulana, BaPedi King Sekhukhune and BaLobedu Queen Modjadji ‘s place and other Chiefs of the Shangaan and Tsonga people.
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