DEAR Editor;
In the Herald’s article by journalist Fundiswa Mzobe, ‘ANC elects new regional executive‘, it was reported that the seventh ANC regional conference took a resolution to rename the ANC region after and in honour of Tolomane Mnyayiza.
The resolution is appropriate and commendable. It is appropriate because Tolomane truly embodied the values of the ANC and public service.
The eulogy by the seventh premier of KwaZulu Natal, Willies Mchunu supports this view. Willies Mchunu stated that Tolomane had “never been found to be on the wrong side of the ANC principles, the values and the rules of the ANC; that is the quality of the leader we are losing today, and we [are] shattered”.
Renaming the region after such an honest leader is therefore commendable. It demonstrates a commitment to serve the people because Tolomane believed that the ANC exists for the people, not for its leaders.
Tolomane also believed that leadership is a public duty and responsibility to serve the people, not a private entitlement for personal aggrandizement.
Therefore, those in leadership, across all political parties and sectors of society, have a duty to self-reflect and critically assess the extent to which the people and public interest are front and centre in their lives as leaders.
Changing the name of the region should not be the end. It must mark the revitalisation of measures to learn, develop and cultivate ethical cadres, active citizens, public-spirited leaders, cohesive communities, and effective municipalities. This is because Tolomane was inseparable from endeavours to attain these ideals.
Tolomane now forms part of the political ancestry that laid the foundation for the living. The living must, at least, preserve the democratic foundation. Only ethical, capable and responsive leaders must be entrusted with the duty to construct better communities and performing municipalities. Tolomane played his part.
His life-history must become a source of wisdom to find solutions to the problems of degenerative political factionalism, uneven and sometimes dismal government performance, misappropriation of public resources and destructive social ills.
Tolomane was about valour and values not vanity. Long Live Tolomane, the Spirit of Servant Leadership!
NDABA MZELEMU
Ward 23 Bhobhoyi
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