Honour Mama Fazzie
THE ANC’s 106th birthday celebration at Buffalo City stadium last week was a signal of the rebirth of the ANC. The leadership displayed during the celebrations, especially by the Eastern Cape provincial leadership led by comrade Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, needs to be appreciated and applauded. The forces of division have been dealt a fatal blow. Unfortunately, it is hard luck for those who have been using the ANC to advance their selfish interests and those who have been using the ANC as a cash cow.
The ANC is tired of the thieves within, and the bishops of factionalism who use the divide-andrule strategy to remain in power.
During this past weekend’s ANC celebrations what caught my eye, and indeed makes me so proud of the ANC, was the visit by ANC president comrade Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, ANC NEC members comrade Malusi Gigaba and comrade Thoko Xasa, and Eastern Cape provincial chairman comrade Oscar Mabuyane to my branch, which is the Mzwanele Fazzie Branch.
But more heartwarming, and a highlight of the visit, was comrade Ramaphosa visiting the home of our icon and our grandmother, Mama Fazzie, who lost her sons in the struggle against apartheid.
It is a painful situation for us as the Fazzie family has been forgotten. The Fazzie branch is in one of the most underdeveloped areas in the Buffalo City metropolitan municipality.
Even the house that Mama Fazzie is staying in is in an extremely poor condition. It is also surrounded by potholes and shacks.
The ANC president and provincial chairman observed all of that, which is a sign of hope.
This ward 6 is a ward of many fallen heroes and heroines, who indeed submitted themselves in realising this democracy. It is the only branch that is deeply neglected by Buffalo City Metro, in terms of issues from fixing potholes to youth employment. But with the leadership of comrade Mabuyane there is hope. Mama Fazzie needs to be honoured by ensuring that what her sons died for is achieved. I’m calling on this newly elected, sober PEC to again visit this branch and see its deep sufferings, and also honour Mama Fazzie. — Viwe Sidali, ANC Mzwanele Fazzie Branch