*Moeletsi Mbeki’s theatrical utterances are short of sound political reasoning*
I read with dismay an article placed on the front page of a prominent business publication about an evidently distraught Moeletsi Mbeki who seemingly has lost confidence in the ANC. This article portrayed him as a prophet of doom for South Africa under the leadership of the “Song and dance Brigade” as he sarcastically puts it. The first question would then be, is the man an ANC member, does he understand that the ANC is collectively led and that the ANC is an organisation which has never seek to stifle debate and robust engagement even for opposition. Hence under the ANC led government we have a constitution, a parliament representing various organisations but more importantly various platforms which allow the “disgruntled brigade” like himself to air their views. The ANC has never withered in the pit of denialism with regards to challenges confronted by society or the organisation in its entirety. Leaders of the ANC have been frank in diagnosing the problems within the movement in whatever juncture. The problem however we are faced with is individuals seeking to take cheap shots on the side-lines because they have failed to constructively engage within structures of the ANC. The transformation of the state has proven to be difficult for any liberation movement within the content. This however is not solely as a result of the failures of the liberation movements, but its other societal variables such as the resistance of the private sector to advance the developmental agenda consistently with government. We are witnessing this trend in SA, where stable economic policies have seen the private sector flourish and grow without the simultaneous stimulation of job creation and societal development. Recently there has even been an outcry that Corporate Social Investment is not properly channelled to the rightful benefectors. The private sector continues to take an intransigent posture towards legislative interventions such as black economic empowerment and affirmative action in order to redress imbalances of the past. The progress of South Africans is a collective responsibility for all organisations, institutions as well as corporates in SA. The ANC led government continues to support this openness and involvement through democracy. The likes of Moeletsi Mbeki are quick to give a chronic state of affairs by simplistically insinuating that there is a leadership vacuum, where are captains of industries making a conceited effort to give workers a decent living wage, where are the supposed academics with all solutions to give a constructive direction for South Africa if the ANC is really failing. ANC has proven on a preponderance of probabilities that it has an identity and a solid societal presence devoid of the people or individuals leading it. Instead of playing spectator and arm chair critic Mr Mbeki should consider playing the ball on the field through the organisation-starting with a branch. It has become an unfortunate common practice of some people “ironically those that have benefited immensely through the ANC” to isolate themselves and call press conferences to air their discontent with leaders or events occurring in the ANC. The ANC isn’t short of a cheerleading squad, it’s not a popularity contest either of who makes the loudest noise through the media. Any disciplined cadre of the ANC is well aware that to transform policies or direction within the organisation, this is done through structures of the ANC. An ANC cadre will also understand that the ANC continues to produce leaders of high calibre who do not necessarily seek public affection, but remain in structures and give direction internally. The ANC does not seek validation from “independent self-anointed analysts”. Our mandate is from constitutionally formed branches of the ANC. The views were unfortunate, however this is not the first and surely not the last we will here from the concerned South Africans brigade seeking to continuously critique instead of being part of the broader societal solution as we confront socio-economic disparities. *Gugu Ndima, * *Loyal ANC, ANCYL, ANCWL member, through thick and thin * -- Gugu Ndima +27 76 783 1516 -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
