Collective choice more preferable than slate politics
Divisions from within are killing the ruling party, writes
battle to Gumede.
One can argue that the outcry from the DA was typical of its divide and rule strategy. But, the gaffe provided the perfect storm for the DA to capitalise on its tactic to undermine the ANC leadership.
It also exposed the divisions within the municipality and the political battles Gumede continues to face six months after stepping into office as mayor.
Questions around why Gumede failed to appoint Peer acting mayor have, so far, not received a convincing response.
The fact that Peer, too, failed to comment on this, speaks volumes.
Gumede has been spared the grilling as she was out of the country but, will, no doubt, be asked to explain her decision, given the DA’S call to Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube to investigate whether she violated any local municipal rule in doing so.
It does, of course, place Dube in a challenging position.
Dare she risk sanctioning a comrade and chair of the country’s most influential ANC region? Will it blow over?
Whatever the outcome, the ANC will need to address the issue decisively or face a backlash over persistent claims of continued divisions within the region – and compromise their standing as kingmaker in the party’s crucial elective conference in December. That, of course, is exactly what the DA hopes to achieve.
The issues of divisions cannot be ignored and must not.
ANC members on the ground are uncertain, confused and fearful. Their concerns cannot be trivialised by dismissing the opposition’s game of divide and rule.
Some, within the ANC, often play down the DA’S criticism, arguing that the DA does not represent ANC supporters in KZN which are largely rural – and therefore immune to the DA’S criticism.
While this may be true, given the ANC’S loss of support in urban areas at the last local election, the party cannot afford to ignore any attempt to create distrust among ANC members.
ANC supporters no longer have a Nelson Mandela to unite them under a common banner.
They are being coerced by a choice of individuals rather than party loyalty.
It’s a dangerous game which is already destroying the party and Kwazulu-natal remains the last bastion of power that the ANC can still count on, comfortably.
But, it’s not a guaranteed comfort. Gumede emerged as chairperson of the ANC’S ethekwini region last year amid huge backing from a mainly grassroots support base and the provincial ANC Youth League. Buoyed by the victory of provincial ANC chairperson Sihle Zikalala, Gumede quickly sought to placate the losing camp, reassuring them she would work with everyone to unite the party. As did Zikalala.
Their actions left many thinking that the party would finally close the wounds left behind by those who lost out on the succession battles – former ethekwini mayor Nxumalo and former provincial ANC chairperson, Senzo Mchunu.
But, despite their best efforts and proclamations of unity, there are still those hell bent on pursuing their own agendas.
And, while the whining of the DA can be dismissed as political point scoring, the real danger is that their tactics to divide the ANC are gaining traction, creating instability and distrust among comrades. By destabilising the metros, the DA is trying to send a clear message that it ready to govern.
It is fully aware that it is nowhere near capturing the rural vote – which is why its campaigns are focused on upsetting urban municipalities through capitalising on internal squabbles and factionalism. This tactic must not be dismissed. It is strategic and evidence based.
By his own admission, the DA’S Zwakele Mncwango declared that a letter confirming the appointment of the acting mayor was leaked to him by someone within the ANC itself. He lapped it up gleefully, of course.
He was handed political ammunition without much effort.
Did the person leaking this information consider the impact on the ANC? Did it serve the interests of the party when leaking such information?
Why, as a disciplined party member, was the issue not raised within the ANC’S structures or at the Executive Committee?
The leaking of information is always celebrated within the media as it services our insatiable need for controversy and political stories.
It is also celebrated by the opposition as it provides fodder for their agenda.
There are no permanent friends or foes in politics, only permanent interests. And, as long as individuals harbour that personal agenda before party loyalty, the ANC will not be able to sugar coat or contain internal scandals.
The example of Peer being appointed deputy mayor by the ANC’S provincial leadership is a classic example of how slate politics can entrench divisions within the party.
The DA used this to fire the first salvo when Mncwango said, “She (Peer) was imposed on Gumede by the provincial leadership”.
Their divide and rule tactic is working – and not in favour of the ANC.
The ANC must debate issues around regional leadership at its policy conference in June.
Such robust debates need to pave the way to practical guidelines and clear-cut decisions on the election of new leaders based on collective choice and not just slate politics.
Doing so will signal the party’s commitment to unity and restore confidence in its leadership to make decisions which put its electorates, and not party individuals first.