Battle for heart and soul of the party, says analyst

The ongoing ANC policy conference held at Nasrec, Johannesburg, can be described as a gathering between forces of destruction and forces of goodwill who are engaged in an epic battle for the heart and soul of the governing party, according to political analyst Elvis Masoga.

Party leaders and branch members started meeting on Friday with the hope that the ANC will emerge united amid tensions in the party.

Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, Masoga said it is practically impossible to forge unity in the ANC at a time when there is an epic battle between the forces of destruction and the forces of goodwill.

He said in that kind of macro political scenario it is not practically feasible to get people to forge unity, especially when the forces of destruction are hellbent on continuing with their destructive agenda.

“These forces of destruction are not showing any signs of repentance and while listening to Zuma as the leader of the forces of destruction in his presidential address, he was so recalcitrant, unrepentant and unflinching in his insistence that he refuses to change.

“That was the message from Zuma: no matter what you say, I will not change and I will remain the Zuma that I’ve been.

“At the moment, one cannot talk about unity because there is no unity in the ANC and for now, up to December, it is possible that unity will remain an elusive mirage that can never be practically realisable,” Masoga said.

He said while there are no signs of unity in the ANC, there is an inspiring sign that proves that the forces of goodwill are re-emerging more powerful.