Concern for ANC leadership
AT A time when the fight about who will succeed President Jacob Zuma as ANC president has heated up‚ the party’s annual January 8 statement cautions leaders against using power for “nefarious” gain.
“Leading the ANC is a tremendous responsibility‚ which must not be taken lightly. Too often‚ comrades fight for leadership positions as they see leadership as the route to material and personal gain‚” the statement reads.
In the run-up to the December elective conference‚ the party is facing a crisis of factionalism and division.
The January 8 statement, delivered by Zuma at Orlando Stadium in Soweto yesterday, sought to warn against those who pursue positions in the party for their own gain.
“ANC leaders must demonstrate a desire and commitment to serve the people. They must have a proven track record and be able to organise and inspire the masses to be their own liberators‚” the party said in its message to supporters.
This weekend‚ the ANC Women’s League came out to endorse African Union Commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to be the next ANC president.
At the same time‚ the Sunday Times reported this week Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa had launched his campaign, speaking openly against bad leadership and factionalism.
Supporters of Dlamini-Zuma have argued that the ANC needs a female president with the women’s league insisting she is a tried-andtested leader.
Supporters of Ramaphosa have come out to use his scandal-free profile as an alternative to corruption.
“Leaders who are in positions for nefarious reasons, contribute to the decline in our movement’s standing and they have no place in the ANC‚” the statement read.
The party said it had learnt from last year’s local government elections that when its people did not agree with the actions of the ANC, they would use democratic means to vote them out of power.
It said it had heard the message of the people after the August local government elections.
“We accept we have made mistakes and shall correct them,” the statement said. — TMG Digital