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DEAR Editor,-
The liberation struggle taught me discipline and focus on the course to free the country’s majority population from the shackles of a brutal apartheid system – where a comrade was a brother and a brother a comrade.
The scars on my body bear testimony to the fights for the freedom we enjoy today against a system that was engineered with the sole aim of our demise.
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Unlike other parts of the continent, our independence was not won over a full scale civil war but a frank engagement of sworn-enemies around one table with a collective mandate for a new dawn for the people in South Africa.
Whether or not all parties walked home happy after the conclusion of the talks is another debate, however a democratic era was realised.
Looking at the political landscape of SA, one cannot help but wonder where we lost our way. When did my brother change into an enemy? When did it become fashionable to settle political scores with a gun? Have we become our own enemy?
Politics-related deaths of leaders and ordinary members of the ANC have become a norm, not only in KZN, but countrywide. Particularly before, during and after elective conferences. It’s not a crisis anymore; it’s catastrophic.
Some labelled this period as a hunting, killing and open season, I say it is acts of evil fuelled by venomous blind ambition and lust for a brother’s blood.
Over the years there have been wolves in sheepskin, but I don’t believe a member of the ANC, when joining the organisation, had to read with understanding rule 4, 4.15 (declaration in the ANC Constitution):
‘I, …………., solemnly declare that I will abide by the aims and objectives of the ANC as set out in the Constitution, the Freedom Charter and other duly adopted policy positions. That I am joining the organisation voluntarily and without motives of material advantage or personal gain.
That I agree to respect the constitution and structures and to work as a loyal member of the organisation. That I will place my energies and skills at the disposal of the organisation and carry out tasks given to me.
That I will work towards making the ANC an even more effective instrument of liberation in the hands of the people. That I will defend the unity and integrity of the organisation and its principles, and combat any tendency towards disruption and factionalism.’
The ANC faces the mammoth task of regaining trust. Not just for the 2019 national elections, but to carry that momentum to the next local elections where there’s been a sharp decline in support for the ruling party considering overall results of the 2016 local elections.
Murders have no place in the ANC – the ANC of Chief Albert Luthuli, Baba Langalibalele Dube, Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Ray Nkonyeni and many others.
The ANC that continues to champion a better life for all in SA. Let’s expose those who want to destroy the movement from within.
Let’s reject and isolate external influences that seek to cripple ANC processes. We must stay vigilant for the enemy remains amongst us, with the sole purpose to divide and conquer. High morals, high discipline.
MANELISI K NDABA
