Kai Korana, Nguni council back ANC

THE ANC in the Western Cape welcomes the decision by the Kai Korana and Nguni Unity Council to endorse it in the forthcoming general elections, as well as its resolution to campaign for the party.

The weekend decision was another indication that the ANC is growing its support base before the May 8 general elections, said ANC Western Cape secretary Faiez Jacobs.

The Unity Council, which represents traditional houses, decided to throw its weight behind the ANC at a meeting held in Caledon at the weekend.

At the meeting, the Unity Council instructed South Africa’s former ambassador to Syria, Shaun Byneveldt to pass on its decision to the Western Cape ANC leadership.

At the gathering, the Western Cape leader of the ANC Youth League, Khalid Sayed, said: “It is only through the unity of our people in the midst of self-serving and racist attempts to divide us that we will ensure that our historic communities can be safeguarded.

“Unity will ensure that our rich cultural values are preserved and, most importantly, drive the ethical survival of our society.”

Byneveldt said in his keynote address on Saturday: “South Africa is born of a difficult and divided past. Our history is one of enforced division, oppression and conflict.

“Our road to democracy and freedom was not easy and the new South Africa would most certainly not have dawned had it not been for the unyielding and heroic sacrifices of the Kai Korana and Nguni and thousands upon thousands of patriots.”

Byneveldt called Nelson Mandela an example of a selfless fighter for freedom, justice, equality and human rights.

He said: “Ours is the politics of unity, togetherness and family. I need you to be me. I am a person through other persons. As Africans, we subscribe to ubuntu. Ubuntu celebrates the nobility of the human spirit… and we say ‘no’ to the politics of fracture.”

Byneveldt called on the Kai Korana, Nguni and all South Africans to use their collective strength to build the nation, as well as a better life for all.