Kathrada would want an ANC dedicated to uplifting the poor
THE late Ahmed Kathrada dedicated his life to the liberation of the poor and marginalised.
The Active Citizens Movement, who organised the memorial service applied to the courts to have the ANCYL barred from attending, but their court bid failed.
What the movement anticipated taking place, which was the disruption of proceedings did happen. Senior officials like Sihle Zikalala and Zweli Mkhize tried to quieten the ANCYL supporters with limited success.
Political analysts are saying that they are becoming a law unto themselves. It seems when they feel the truth is being articulated, which is against their support base, they drown out the speaker by chanting slogans.
In a democratic dispensation which ensures freedom of speech in which Comrade Kathrada fought his whole life for is rudely ignored, then it becomes a convenient time to re-evaluate our rights and mechanisms to have it protected.
Organising an event of such stature takes lots of time and money. To disrupt proceedings is easy.
If this is going to be the culture of forthcoming meetings then there needs to be serious introspection by all political parties to chart a progressive way forward. If actions of chaos and anarchy are going to be sustained then as a country we are moving backwards.
The legacy of a stalwart in the liberation movement was disrespected and dishonoured.
Zikalala mentioned that memorial services must not be used as a forum to ventilate one’s differences. It seems that his message was ignored.
The factional battles within the ANC need to be sorted out expeditiously.
The party does not want to go into the 2019 elections divided. The electorate is looking for stability and clean governance. They are fed up with corruption, which ultimately deprives the povertystricken areas of resources.
Kathrada would want to see an ANC that dedicates itself to the upliftment of the poverty-stricken citizens in our country. He would want to resuscitate the ideology of a better life for all and see this ideology resonate to the length and breath of South Africa. Vijay Surujpal Phoenix