Work on unity from branch level upwards

THE line of march for all ANC leaders, members and branches has been given by the ANC national executive committee through the president. The president calls for unity.

Indeed this year has been declared #UnityInAction. As one of those who suffered or were eliminated in ANC processes ahead of last year’s local government elections because of a call for unity, and a call to end corruption, gatekeeping and factionalism, I am appealing to the entire ANC leadership first to identify the cause of disunity.

It should then visit the 80% of branches who disputed fake and factional branch general meetings and annual meetings where most of the branches were left leaderless, more especially in the Buffalo City metropolitan region (Dr W B Rubusana) and others. Some ANC branches are still suffering from selfish interests and too much factionalism.

I’m calling on the ANC provincial executive committee to visit the branches and preach unity.

It should also have political interviews with the so-called branches to assess the current factional branch executive committees – indeed they will be shocked.

We have other professionals who are leading our government departments who I strongly believe we need to invite to the branches. The task of unity is not a Mickey Mouse one and needs heart with leadership strength.

Identifying the cause of disunity will be tough because some will suffer. There are those so-called comrades and leaders who are using the ANC as their own entity and are milking its coffers, so by building unity they will definitely be eliminated and become vulnerable.

So they will keep pushing for disunity. There are those we know who are using the system of “divide and rule”.

The call by the NEC on Sunday at the ANC’s 105th anniversary celebrations is clear, but appears on paper only.

I’m calling on all of us to fear no one and eliminate enemies of unity.

There must be no time and space for factionists, members with crippling ill-discipline and corrupt leaders.

Viwe Sidali, ANC member, Mzwanele Fazzie branch and former ANCYL regional executive committee member in the Buffalo City Metro