The politics of money

The ANC SG, Gwede Mantashe, has conceded to the fact that money plays a significant role in determining leadership elections outcomes. This implies voting patterns at the elective conferences are influenced through the deployment of money. This may create an impression that delegates to conferences are nothing but voting cows. The new trend nullifies the notion that power is entrenched in branches (loosely translated in vernacular: amandla asemasebeni). This evinces the manner in which unelected external forces (business moguls) influence the leadership outcome at elective conferences. This implies leadership is a product of factional money tossed around via brown envelops, black plastic and briefcases.

These moguls could be Africans, Coloureds, Asians (Indians) or Whites, located within global or domestic spaces. Therefore, the capturing of the organisation and ultimately the state, could be spearheaded by influential individuals wearing different skin colours. Unethical action is repugnant and cannot be justified on the basis of the colour of the skin. On this one, I commend the SG of the ANC for being upfront and consistent.

The incumbent can be viewed as the most inconsistent ANC SG in the history of the movement. The plethora of statements he made in particular at press conferences bear testimony to that effect. His statements are paradoxical and contrary to his self-proclaimed ideological orientation. He can be so mechanical and naïve when dealing with complex matters characterising the South African space. His characterisation of the South African question lacks substance and essence.

Repeatedly, he put more emphasis on the administrative processes at the expense of cogent political matters. He fails to acknowledge the correlation between the two processes. The neglect of high level contentious political matters may contribute to organisational paralysis and incoherence. Within an organisational setup, in particular at the apex level, political imperatives supersede administrative protocol when faced with matters of national importance. The SG of the organisation is an overarching Political Chief Whip, and should have the ability to marshal all forces with competing interests. Vacillation on matters of principles may cause confusion and political uncertainty.

The case at hand was his reluctance to see the importance in the request made by ANC veterans to have a meeting with the current leadership. He was of the view that the veterans should raise their concerns through their branches. This was a serious error of judgement which has set an unprecedented political precedent. For starters, where are the branches, the reports he authored lament on the dysfunctionality of floor structures? Branches are by and large a product of patronage money. They only convene meetings preparing for elective conferences and elections (local, provincial and national). After these events, they hibernate and one may classify them as seasonal entities. Even if branches were functional, veterans should be accorded the highest respect they deserve. Leadership is not defined in terms of structural positions, one may be a structural leader by default. This is a common practice nowadays as a result of the patronage syndrome.

This has derailed the developmental agenda and transformed the organisation into a factional platform controlled by forces located outside the ambit of the organisation. Some of these forces hate the movement to the core but use it to get access to the state in order to milk it dry. After the cow has been milked dry, it’ll be abandoned and the die hards will be left fighting over the carcass.

The manner in which the veterans were initially treated could be interpreted as demeaning their role in the liberation struggle, and in the postapartheid colonial era. We are equal before the law, but we may not be equal in terms of political standing. Fair discrimination is enshrined in the Constitution of the country, each case should be treated on its merit. Veterans are a political resource and a voice of wisdom. Without prejudice, I give the SG the benefit of the doubt, he’s under pressure 24/7.

He has just been exposed by fire-brand, Julius Malema under oath, that he urged the EFF to exert pressure on the ANC in parliament to make it a point that the Nuclear Deal is derailed. He’s of the view that the deal concerned will bankrupt the state. Read between the lines you’ll find an answer, taking into account the controversy surrounding the nuclear deal debacle. This raises more questions than answers and gives an impression that the elephant is in the house. The present status quo may have compelled the SG to source help somewhere outside the comfort zones of his party.

He went straight into the hands of Malema, whose expulsion from the ANC he facilitated. Malema, with an understanding of the theory of contradictions, launched his arsenals against him through a legal platform under oath. The former president of the ANCYL, Fikile Mbalula, came out baying for Mantashe’s blood, dismissing him as untrustworthy and that he does not deserve to serve in leadership structures of the ANC.

This was a public vote of no confidence in the SG. Remember, at the ANC elective conference held in Mangaung in 2012, Mbalula contested Mantashe’s position and lost due to the fact that he was on a “wrong political slate”. Mantashe had the edge over him because he was on a “correct political slate” led by President Jacob Zuma. It’s reported that he is no longer in the good books of JZ now, and is not trusted by the king. Interestingly, the SG has already made a public announcement on his unavailability for re-election as SG. It’s alleged that he is eyeing for the Deputy President position and he might square up with Mabuza (Mpumalanga province premier). It’s also alleged that the latter has been on a campaign trail for some time now, and has set-up infrastructure in all provinces, J’burg being the HQ.

It seems the influence of patronage money is endless and may deliver a leadership of its own kind at the elective conference to be held in December 2017. As these developments gain momentum, the support structure of local democracy in the form of municipalities is disintegrating. Misdeployment in certain municipalities under the control of the ANC is beginning to be exploited by the opposition block. It’s reported that certain municipalities have already reached a cul de sac, and to rescue themselves from collapse, are contemplating disposing of assets, in particular strategic immovable assets.

The sustainability of any business entity is largely dependent on its assets; disposal of assets as a result of undue pressure and lack of knowledge could lead to a permanent disablement of the entity. This also evinces the lack of leadership and a glaring leadership vacuum. It’s also reported that in other municipal areas, councillors have amassed land for themselves through proxy structures. Certain branch leaders and selfanointed revolutionaries have also followed suit.

Strategic researchers have revealed that a non-racial queue has already been formed to procure municipal immovable assets. Discussions are under way to sell public property like hot pancakes.

In other entities, officials in the land and administration departments are resigning enmasse fearing for their lives.

Patronage money has delivered a leadership that may lead state institutions to perpetual bankruptcy.

The former mayor of Joburg, now Salga national chairperson and president of international local government body, has expressed his concerns about the financial non-viability of certain municipalities. Factional external political interference has transformed municipalities into lame-duck entities.

This phenomenon has contributed to the mismanagement of resources. Only the people using their democratic will, will change the situation.

• Christian Mxoliswa Mbekela is a strategic work consultant specializing in HR, EE and risk management. Former SAYCO NEC member and he was part of the team that re-established the ANC Youth League. He is currently doing PhD in the Sociology Department at Rhodes University. www.cmmmindpower. co.za