Letter: Is the ANC relevant?

Muse Mnyandu of Groutville writes:

With the general elections creeping closer, it might be relevant at this point to raise the question about the relevance of the ruling African National Congress to carry forward the needs, dreams and aspirations of the people of South Africa, in particular the downtrodden.

Like liberation movements across the world, there permeates within the ANC corridors the unnerving sense that the party is entitled to govern the country at all cost, by virtue of its anti-apartheid struggle credentials.

However, 25 years into democracy, this sense of entitlement on the part of the ANC could have reached its expiry date. Admittedly, the ANC has over the past two decades formulated and promulgated a myriad of progressive policies that have helped in lifting many of our people from the clutches of abject poverty.

But, has the organisation done enough to eliminate poverty and inequality in our society?

Clearly, a growing number of people believe the ANC has fallen short in achieving this ideal. And the corruption scandals that continue to dog the ruling party virtually at all levels, do little to ameliorate the feeling of despondency amongst our people. And therein sits the greatest challenge that the ANC and its allies will have to confront as the liberation movement prepares for the all-important upcoming elections.

Digging its collective head in the sand in the unrealistic hope that the corruption scandals and the threat of shrinking mass loyalty will automatically disappear can no longer serve the ANC. Now is the time for decisive leadership.

The upcoming elections present the voters, who are becoming more discerning than ever, with a vast array of options next to which to place their crosses on the ballot. President Cyril Ramaphosa and his leadership collective are faced with a mammoth task to rid the liberation movement of the all-pervasive stench of corruption that perpetually hangs on the party’s acronym and continues to dent its once glorious reputation.

Now is the time for action. We have heard the promises, Mr President. We have heard enough of your accented English. Now we need to see some action…..fearless action, with tangible outcomes. The people are crying out: Take heed, Mr President, before it’s too late.