Learn from Manana and resign – Sisulu
Campaign event calls for ANC woman president
ANC presidential hopeful Lindiwe Sisulu says other party leaders must learn from former deputy minister of higher education Mduduzi Manana who resigned at the weekend.
Sisulu was speaking during a campaign event in Mahlabaneng village outside Giyani in Limpopo yesterday.
Sisulu, who is also the minister of human settlements, is campaigning for the ANC presidential seat ahead of the party’s elective conference in December.
She called for the ANC to adopt a culture of leaders who step down from their positions if found to have brought the organisation into disrepute.
This was after Manana resigned after being charged with the assault of two women at a Johannesburg nightclub two weeks ago.
“You did the right thing when you resigned. Not because this excuses you in any way, but this is the first time someone in authority who has brought the organisation into disrepute had resigned.
“Let’s make this a part of our culture. Anyone who brings the ANC into disrepute must resign,” she said, adding that Manana should learn from his mistakes. “I hope you will emerge from this a better person,” she said.
Sisulu said the ANC would win the 2019 elections despite its challenges.
“The ANC has the capacity to ride any wave. The ANC has the capacity to selfcorrect.”
She also spoke against the practice of buying votes.
“We must refuse to be bought with the proverbial 30 pieces of silver as if we are merchandise. We must not be arrogant because we hold certain positions, but we must remember that we serve at the behest of our people.”
About 500 party supporters, mostly women, gathered at the local stadium to attend the event.
Sisulu, who is campaigning under the theme “It’s a Must”, reiterated her stance that the country was ready to be led by a female president. She said women were playing a huge role in their communities. “We women hold the knife by the sharp end and we know how it feels.”
Sisulu said it was time to bring an end to patriarchy and the subjugation of women.