THE drama that unfolded at Ahmed Kathrada’s memorial service at Sastri College Hall on Sunday, when the NC Youth League disrupted proceedings and booed and heckled guest speakers, has been described as an indicator of the increased bitterness and divisions in the African National Congress (ANC). However the ruling party denies there is a crisis saying it is merely democracy at play.
Speaking at the memorial, KwaZulu-Natal ANC Chairperson Sihle Zikalala, said the current dynamics that are at play in society and at the memorial service, did not represent the glorious movement that the ANC is. “The ANC is a truly non-racial organisation and any form of racial segregation does not represent the standing character of the ANC,” he said.
“The letter that was written by Ahmed Kathrada before his death to President Jacob Zuma was between him and the President. Leaders must not abuse any information to anyone’s favour.”
“We must not use public platforms to ventilate anger and differences. Let us take our differences to our structures. We expect leadership to work with the masses, we have won political freedom but not economic freedom. Let us preserve discipline, eliminate racism and respect ANC leaders,” said Zikalala.
Despite a court interdict prohibiting the youth league from disrupting the memorial service, former finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, who was the main speaker, and the ruling party’s treasurer-general, Zweli Mkhize, were booed and heckled. Gordhan was branded an enemy agent by the ANC Youth League after he criticised the Zuma administration at an previous memorial service for Kathrada. Speaking at the memorial on Sunday, Gordhan said unity within the ANC could not be based on money. “Unity cannot be based on these brown bags that are moving around,” he said..
“Only the ANC can be trusted with the welfare of the people of South Africa, unity cannot be based on money and if we cannot unite we will lose the 2019 elections. Let us stop the corruption that erodes the economy,” he said.
Mkhize said the ANC had been concerned about the tension that was growing in the build-up to the memorial service.
“What we do today must not be allowed to erode the support base of the ANC. We are still the ANC, even if we differ in our views. We’re dealing with the issues that have caused the differences among yourselves.” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines, Zikalala said the behavior of some members of the ANC Youth League was not acceptable and would be dealt with by the ANC. The league’s provincial secretary, Thanduxolo Sabelo also reiterated Zikalala stance, however he put the blame on Gordhan for inciting the league with his remark about “money in brown bags”.
Ahmed Kathrada Foundation executive director Neeshan Balton also expressed his disappointed by the disruption of the memorial service. “We were made to believe that the many members of the youth league had come here to pay tribute to Uncle Kathy, however, after what we have seen today their behavior showed extreme intolerance. They have no respect for divergent views and that’s not democracy,” said Balton.
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