It’s the party or Zuma, but not both

DEAR EDITOR — The African National Congress (ANC) branches must decide to either sacrifice the party for President Jacob Zuma or sacrifice Mr Zuma for the party.

Under normal circumstances the party should be above every member. However, within the ANC some individuals remain indispensable. This is the politics of personalities where the party suffers from the anxiety of losing membership because some members are perceived to command huge support. This scenario is prevalent in dictatorships where individuals surround themselves with stooges who accede to illogical demands, narcissism, histrionics and delusions of grandeur.

Granted, the ANC does not have a systematically developed and transparent progressive nomination criterion whereby potential nominees have to court and impress their members with leadership skills, intellect, knowledge of the party and world politics, and display their sophistication and vision to carry the party beyond the present. All a candidate has to do is show that he or she is available.

Without a sophisticated system of leadership contestation, favouritism on an illogical basis is bound to present itself. This is why the incumbent turns to reward those who voted him into power through nepotism, corruption and fraud. Weirdly, the ANC calls this a vigorous process of contestation of capable leadership quality.

One important thing party members must do is display their loyalty to the party through attendance of party structures and be up to date with their membership fees. Yes, many party members pay their membership fees regularly and, as such, are in good standing. Members like Khulubuse Zuma, Nyami Booi, Cheryl Cwele, Peggy Nkonyeni, Bheki Cele, Cassel Mathale, Angie Motshekga, John Block, Jackie Selebi, Tony Yengeni, Schabir Shaik, and more. Their reputation outside the party is immaterial.

The party is suffering from a moral deficit. Its leadership is not based on modern standards where one has to obtain a certain level of academic qualification or exude moral values and dignity. The most discernible criteria is the willingness to dance, sing and copulate with friends’ daughters, be corruptible, loot state coffers and be incompetent.

The country has experienced a large number of service-delivery protests since Mr Zuma became president. In every sphere, SA is sliding down the international rankings. This has an impact on the country as an investor destination. Workers’ strikes are very disturbing.

The country’s health and education system have been compromised for political expedience. Taking responsibility isn’t one of the qualities that officials exude. One could be excused for saying the party has reached its sell-by date due to failure to implement its own policies.

In short, the party needs to decide whether Mr Zuma is more important than the party.

With nominations for the presidential election for the ANC open for discussion, members need to bear in mind that it is the country that matters the most and not engage in a hide-andseek contestation for leadership nominations. All South Africans must at least be convinced of the leader they inherit.