Ramaphosa asks Shembe: Pray for ANC

SPEAKING to members of the Shembe Church in Esikhawini near Empangeni, north of Durban, yesterday, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa asked the church to pray for the ANC.

Comparing the church with the founding fathers of the ANC, he congratulated church leaders for being able to stick to the values on which it was was founded in the early 1900s.

“I look at this church and I think about my own church, the ANC. I wonder whether our founders, the likes of John Langalibalele Dube, who was a close friend of the founder of the Shembe church would be pleased with the current state of affairs in the ANC.”

Ramaphosa said the ANC was in need of divine intervention. “If anyone watched the news you would have seen what happened to the president. He was not able to address the workers rally because there was unhappiness about how the programme was organised.”

Workers affiliated to Cosatu objected to President Jacob Zuma’s presence at the Bloemfontein rally and refused to let him speak. The clash led to the cancellation of the event.

“We ask the churches, which have always been a very important institution for the ANC, to pray for the party because we are in a very dark place.

Ramaphosa was with former KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu, who is believed to be backing Ramaphosa to succeed Zuma as ANC president.

Mchunu is in the political wilderness after he lost his post as ANC provincial chairperson to Sihle Zikalala two years ago and resigned as KZN premier.

However on Monday, during a Cosatu rally in Durban, it was evident he still enjoyed support from some quarters and was warmly received by the crowd.

Asked if he was concerned at being seen with Mchunu, Ramaphosa said he was an “ANC comrade” and that he associates with all ANC comrades without discrimination.

Later, while Ramaphosa was leaving, a pastor questioned him about the succession debate. “You should state clearly what you are here for, do not beat about the bush,” said Mthandeni Ntombela.

Ramaphosa did not respond directly to Ntombela and laughed as he was ushered away by bodyguards.

Picture: BONGANI MBATHA IN THEIR GOOD BOOKS: Former KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa joined congregants of the Nazareth Baptist Church (Shembe) to celebrate the life of its founder leader Prophet Isaiah Shembe at eGibisile Home in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal.