ANC must mould worthy leaders, Ramgobin mourners told
THE ANC has a mammoth task of moulding leaders who will work for society and not disrupt the party for their own benefit.
This was the blunt analysis of ANC treasurer Zweli Mkhize during the funeral service for the late party stalwart Mewa Ramgobin in Verulam, north of Durban, yesterday.
His words were echoed by provincial ANC chairman Sihle Zikalala and the embattled Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan.
Mkhize, without mentioning names, said the party needed to cure itself of people who were involved in fraud and in the “disruption” of ANC structures “for their own benefit”.
He accused such people of abusing their positions.
Referring to Ramgobin’s stellar role, he said: “These are enough examples for us to say we have enough role models who have led us and let’s ensure that South Africa becomes a better country. We need to absorb lessons from people like Mewa.”
Zikalala said Ramgobin was an “example of how leaders should be”.
“We have to remind the upcoming generations that a lot of hard work, respect and humility is needed from both our leaders in government and the corporate sector,” he said.
He added that leaders needed to be close to the public they served and not appear to be “leaders who are out there to look after themselves”.
The funeral was attended by ministers, deputy ministers, MECs, MPs and senior government officials.
Among them was Gordhan, who reminisced about his days in the struggle with Ramgobin. Gordhan largely avoided talking about the toxic climate in the ANC.
He said he had taken political education lessons from Ramgobin on “how to remain principled, even in tempting and difficult times”.
“It’s a lesson of recognising that one has to adapt to the circumstances,” he said.
“Yes, we’ve had our many successes, but there are many battles to fight.” These included poverty and job creation.
He joked that, as the minister of finance, he needed “help to grow the economy”.
“Pay your taxes so we have enough to distribute on Wednesday,” he added. “Mewa would have wanted us to be united, despite our differences.”
Zikalala said: “We have lost a champion for the poor … a proponent of non-violence.
“The remaining generation has a responsibility to unite the movement and ensure that they deal with the challenges of the time. In particular, they have to deal with issues of racial divisions among South Africans.”
Zikalala commended the struggle veteran for dedicating his life to the liberation of the country even though he did not have to, as he came from a welloff family.
“Not many today would listen to their conscience as comrade Mewa did. This is because following one’s conscience nowadays may lead to orchestration and the loss of positions of influence. Livelihood is threatened for merely doing what is right.”
The eThekwini mayor and ANC regional chairwoman, Zandile Gumede, also paid homage to Ramgobin. She took to the opportunity to slate ANC members who aired the party’s laundry in public.
“He is one comrade who called us to order when we were wrong,” she said.
“He disciplined us internally. We hope that all our veterans will learn from comrade Mewa to use the internal organisational structures. When veterans speak ill of the ANC, people lose confidence in it. We would love them to raise their issues internally and we are ready to engage them. We will always welcome guidance from our veterans.”
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma last night expressed deep sadness and extended condolences to the family of former social development deputy minister Bongi Maria Ntuli, who died in Pretoria on Saturday.
“South Africa has lost a valuable seasoned servant of the people and a dedicated gender activist, and on behalf of government and all South Africans, we convey our heartfelt condolences to Ms Ntuli’s family,” he said.