Contralesa may split from ANC
Fed-up traditional leaders consider forming their own political grouping
FED-UP traditional leaders under the banner of Contralesa are considering dumping the ANC and forming their own political organisation to contest elections. Contralesa’s national general council, to be held from October 28 to 30 in Johannesburg, will decide whether to adopt or reject the decision taken by its national executive committee.
The Eastern Cape will today take a provincial stance during its special general council meeting in Mthatha.
Some traditional leaders believe active politics is for politicians and that traditional leaders should spend their energy on strengthening their institution.
Contralesa has traditionally encouraged its subjects to vote for the ANC.
Contralesa president and ANC MP Chief Setlamorago Thobejane said: “The current ANC leadership, including secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, who is forever telling us he is a republican, sees no value to cherish those historic ties between the two organisations [Contralesa and ANC].”
Thobejane and secretary-general Chief Xolile Ndevu said Contralesa was being pushed out of the mass democratic movement by the ANC leaders.
“Without political power we might find ourselves being irrelevant at the end of the day. So we want to play closer to the political power to move forward,” Thobejane said.
Ndevu said all the problems that have bedevilled relations between the ANC and Contralesa were as a result of the failure by the ruling party to engage the organisation in political discussions.
“The two organisations have ended up second-guessing each other, and in the process accumulating presumptions and prejudices against each other,” he said.
Contralesa claims that for about 10 years it has been asking for bilateral meetings with the ANC national top six, but to no avail.
Contralesa provincial chairman and former ANC MP Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana said that at a recent meeting with the ANC’s top six in the Eastern Cape, leaders expressed unhappiness with Contralesa’s plan.
The Eastern Cape has already consulted with branches, kings and queens over the looming breakaway. Ndevu said the move was long overdue. “We were supposed to have taken it in 1994,” he said.
“Traditional leaders love the ANC due to the historic ties they have, but the current ANC leadership sees no value to cherish that.
“We have no choice but to part ways with the ANC.”
ANC national spokesman Zizi Kodwa said they could not comment on hearsay.
“If Contralesa has issues with the ANC, they must deal directly with us,” he said.
“We have a cordial relationship with Contralesa.”
ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane said it would be better for the two organisations to revive and strengthen their relations than part ways.
“Contralesa is part of the mass democratic movement structures. We must work towards improving relations,” he said.
“Contralesa is us and we believe in their leadership.”
Contralesa was formed in 1987 under the auspices of the United Democratic Front.