Misguided focus

THEjubilations by the new agents of imperialism and Twitter revolutionaries Zwelinzima Vavi and Numsa over the change of leadership in the NUM are nothing but a confirmation of the extent of personalisation of the revolution.

These jubilations aremore about the removal of Frans Baleni than the broader change of leadership, or about the policies and programmes adopted at the NUM’s 15th national congress.

The reason why Frans Baleni was so hated by these elements is that he was tasked with the revolutionary duty to lead and communicate the decisions of the NUM. Much of this was of course not popular with Vavi and his clique.

It is opportunism of the worst order from both the Vavi clique and liberal media to divorce leadership from the main content and the outcomes of the NUM 15th national congress. As a new leader of the NUM, the general secretary, David Sipunzi, is going to face the same challenges of the NUM.

The NUM’s 15th national congress reaffirmed the correctness of Cosatu’s decision to accept Limusa into the fold of the federation as a new home for metalworkers, and also that of the expulsion of Vavi and Numsa.

The congress also reaffirmed its commitment to the national democratic revolution under the leadership of the ANC and vanguard role of the SACP.

It must be tough for Vavi and his clique to have to accept that comrade Sipunzi is not going to lead a particular faction aligned to him and Numsa, as the liberal media suggests, but will provide principled leadership.

NUM members must therefore close ranks, unite the people’s camp, neutralise its detractors and expose the agents of imperialism even as they sing our songs and carry our flags. Masonwabe Sokoyi