Stop January 8 ‘opulence’
This is an open letter to ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC NEC and all ANC provincial executive committees. I think we need to have a serious conversation about the socio-political culture associated with the January 8 celebrations.
We all know there are some problematic trends which take place every year. Why do comrades overtly display middle-class and elite opulence during these events at clubs and restaurants? This includes buying tables, overpriced alcohol, enforcing VVIP and VIP regulations in places of public leisure, and so forth.
Then society associates the ANC with class materialism, social exclusion and opulence. There is an element of socioeconomic patriarchal exploitation. Most cadres go to these events with vulnerable young women who receive money or other material gains for accompanying what we call leaders.
There is even exploitation of women from the area where the event is taking place. Then society associates the ANC with patriarchy, sexual exploitation and sexism. January 8 has become depoliticised and comrades treat it like an expensive holiday.
The discourse is about business deals, leisure and networking. Where are the politics or serious debates on reviving the movement?
These discussions are treated as peripheral or reduced to the formal statement. The ANC defines itself as a leader of society, and therefore has a moral obligation to display the highest levels of political and social maturity.
The socio-political culture which has developed during January 8 over the past years erodes this ethos. The depoliticisation and commercialisation of the esteemed January 8 celebrations is dangerous and can cause damage in the future to our glorious movement.
January 8 was meant to celebrate the formation of the ANC. This organisation was formed to advance a NDR [national democratic revolution] and after its Freedom Charter endorsement, it became the only organisation that can advance the Freedom Charter, which is its bible.
The ANC has a long connection with the masses, so it’s time to go back to basics.
My call is clear and directed to President Ramaphosa and the entire NEC, including PECs, to ensure that the gap between the poor and those in power regarding themselves as rich, is closed and those so-called VVIPs and VIPs must be eliminated from major ANC events, such as January 8 and the manifesto launch.
These are programmes for all ANC people. Many sacrificed their lives to liberate this country, yet the freedom they fought for is being abused.
There are those selfish leaders who think this freedom is their licence to do as
Where are the politics or serious debates on reviving the movement?
they please. It must start on Saturday at Durban's 107th celebrations by eliminating VIP suites and also ask those leaders to behave in a manner that shows equality to the poor and stop purchasing expensive whiskeys in night clubs – instead visit the townships and share with the poor.
2019 must be a year of unity and love within the ANC and a year of rooting out corruption. Happy birthday to the ANC.
Viwe Sidali, ANC Mzwanele Fazzie branch