Zuma not committed to nonracialism, says ANC’s Botes
Slamming former president Jacob Zuma as a nationalist who is not committed to nonracialism, ANC national executive committee member Alvin Botes said his suspension marked a pivotal moment for the party.
Botes said he saw it as an opportunity for the ANC to pursue its renewal agenda, which was paramount for its electoral prospects in the upcoming national and provincial elections.
He was speaking yesterday during a door-to-door campaign in Gelvan Park, Gqeberha.
Botes visited the area in a bid to persuade voters weary of voting for the ANC to stick with the party.
Responding to a question on whether the new Mkhonto weSizwe party (MKP) was a threat to the ANC, Botes launched into a tirade against his party’s former leader.
“He is not an embodiment of nonracialism but a narrow Zulu nationalism in a very ethnic tribalist fashion,” Botes said.
“His agenda of standing [for elections] even though he knows he won’t win, is to try to reduce the percentage of the ANC.
“[This is] because he has a political and personal hatred for president [Cyril] Ramaphosa.
“All because he interprets his going to jail as [the doing] of Ramaphosa.”
This week, the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) announced it had been informed by the MKP of a leadership change, with Jabulani Khumalo replaced by Zuma as leader.
This means Zuma’s face will appear on the ballot paper.
Despite being suspended from the ANC in January, Zuma technically remains a member of the ruling party.
MKP national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela did not respond to questions by the time of publication.
Botes, who is also the deputy minister for international relations and co-operation, was joined by ANC Nelson Mandela Bay regional deputy secretary Eugene Johnson.
They visited three homes in Gelvan Park.
Botes said the May 29 general election would be a watershed moment for SA, as it would not only determine the future of the ANC’s domestic programme but could affect the country’s foreign policy.
On its domestic programme, Botes said the suspension of Zuma was a chance for the ANC to embrace its renewal project of zero tolerance towards corruption.
“The ANC has parted with Zuma because we said if we want to renew the ANC we have to first correct ourselves.
“His departure will have adverse effects, especially in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We do anticipate he will have a presence in KZN and obviously because of the number of people who are from that province, he could have a small presence nationally.”
On international policy, Botes said SA’s stance on Gaza could change in the event of the ANC being removed from power.
The SA government filed a case at the Internal Court of Justice in late December, alleging Israel had engaged in genocidal acts in Gaza during its war against Hamas.
Meanwhile, MK national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said Botes's comments were disingenuous.
"He should be focusing on fixing his ANC of Ramaphosa that doesn’t respect the black child and poorest of the poorest of people in this country, and even in his own community.
"This ANC of theirs represents nothing and stands for nothing,” he said.