Time ANC rose above politics of cult

The ANC lobbying group known as the ‘Premier League’ is finally doing a public relations exercise on the survival prospects of the organisation.

The two major controversies that divide the ANC are the Guptas and corruption, which the Premier League is not addressing.

Whether the warring ANC factions consider dumping both frontrunners Cyril Ramaphosa and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in favour of someone neutral, it won’t help the party to salvage the rot. There are no genuine reasons that the ANC can use to block Deputy President Ramaphosa that would be convincing to the public.

The fact that Dlamini-Zuma, a close proxy to President Jacob Zuma and the Premier League faction, hasn’t distanced herself from those that turn a blind eye to the looting of state resources compromises her ambition.

The behaviour of the president, who is openly leading her campaign, also raises eyebrows, since he ascended to the presidency as a result of “tradition” that favours the deputy to succeed the incumbent. Should she win the elective conference in December, she is highly likely to lead from Luthuli House and not the Union Buildings.

The ANC should have learned from what happened in the Tshwane metro when Thoko Didiza was imposed as a mayoral candidate, against the wishes of the people.

The time has come for the liberation movement to rise above politics of personal cults and be cautious about the danger of establishing Zuma’s dynasty.

Phaswana Rofhiwa, e-mail