ANC not Zuma ’ s property
“ATTACKS on Zuma an attempt to undermine ANC,” says newly elected ANC KZN chairman Sihle Zikalala.
I wish I could agree with these words, but I can’t. President Jacob Zuma topped this statement by having a full go at former-ministers-turned-ANC-critics.
To heat things up just a bit more, Zuma further said that he’s ANC first before being South African.
Now, that is a very confusing utterance for a person who’s trying hard to be patriotic. We are often accused of not being patriotic enough. I’m afraid statements like these from people who should know better are not helping.
I suspect the “critics” he was talking about are Kgalema Motlanthe, Ronnie Kasrils and Reverend Frank Chikane. They are entitled to their opinions, whether Zuma likes them or not.
Back in the day, the late SACP stalwart Harry Gwala said: “iANC akusiyo ekaMandela”, meaning “Mandela doesn’t own the ANC”. Zuma’s statements contradict Gwala ’ s assertions.
If Zuma thinks all is well in the ANC, then he’s living in a world of his own. Traditional ANC die-hards are disillusioned with the party. No wonder the EFF and DA are fancying their chances at the next elections.
Even in the past, ANC members were known to differ on crucial matters and it did not lead to people being purged and eventually thrown out.
Judging by Zikalala’s state- ment, maybe that was interpreted as an act not only undermining Zuma but the ANC as well. If that is the case, it goes against Gwala’s belief that the ANC doesn’t belong to an individual.
I am one of those frustrated ANC sympathisers and I’m afraid statements like the ones that are flying about don’t make me less frustrated.