Minority groups voice concerns to ANC

Members of so-called “minority” race groups were invited to interact with the African National Congress at KwaDukuza Town Hall on Thursday.
The Greater KwaDukuza region hosted ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala and panellists from their local Indians, Coloureds and Whites (ICW) forum.
Delivering his opening remarks to a packed hall regional chairperson Thokozani Msweli read an excerpt from last week’s Courier on the recently discovered original Chief Albert Luthuli manuscript.
Msweli read the Chief’s words about the ANC of 1957 not reaching as many people as it should due to a lack of volunteers.
Regional secretary Muzi Sithole said the open forum was being held to establish whether all those who fought for freedom during Apartheid were still on the same side.
“We all saw ourselves in the same goal. Now that the goal has been accomplished, are our structures inclusive? If not, what can we do to change this?”
Zikalala stressed the importance of co-existence, claiming the ANC is striving to create a non-racial society.
“What divides us as a society? We are one country, one people. We must be united and share a common desire for unity. Embrace your culture but let us be one.”
Zikalala, who likened a South Africa without the ANC to a world without oxygen, called for an end to gate keeping – a practice that involves keeping certain groupings out of a political party.
“We must also stop people from gate keeping once they are in the ANC. It is a political home for everyone, not just certain groups.”
Speaking on behalf of the panel, attorney Paul David said he “could not understand” how some of his friends and family could join the Democratic Alliance.
“The DA only reacts when the ANC has done something. How can anyone want to join them?”
He claimed “corruption is everywhere” and laughingly remarked that maybe the ANC just “provides the opportunity.”
The floor was then opened for the public to raise issues with the panel.