SAIRR trying to drive a wedge between us - ANC

ANC MEDIA STATEMENT ON SA INSTITUTE OF RACE RELATIONS AND THE OPPOSITION

Those opposed to the democratic and consultative culture of the African National Congress (ANC) and its Alliance partners - the SACP, COSATU and SANCO - have sought to stop at nothing in their concerted campaign to drive a wedge between the organisation and its Alliance partners (see article). They have also sought to portray ANC President Jacob Zuma - who is also President of the Republic - as someone who is being "managed".

The latest salvo fired by the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) in a paper published in the SAIRR website titled "why the ANC can drop its alliance partners," further illustrates a desperate trend in the thinking of those opposed to cohesion of the ANC-SACP-COSATU-SANCO Alliance.

It also comes in the wake of negative and distorted commentary in some sections of the media bent on undermining the President. These prophets of doom describe the President as being "managed" when seeking counsel from one of his Cabinet ministers. Cabinet ministers are appointed to execute the mandate of the ruling party under the stewardship of the President of the country. In line with ANC tradition, there is nothing sinister in the President adopting an inclusive and consultative approach to issues.

After yesterday's (24 June 2009) President's Budget speech in the National Assembly, the opposition tried so hard to confuse the public by saying that ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe was "not the President", calling on President Zuma to "reign in the ANC's tripartite alliance partners' insatiable appetite for power".     

In terms of his position as ANC Secretary General, Mantashe is required by the ANC Constitution to ensure that the organisation's policies are implemented. This includes ensuring that the ANC 2009 Manifesto is adhered to and that policies of the ruling party find resonance in the articulation and implementation by the Government. This is normal in any democracy.

In calling the ANC to "dump" the COSATU and the SACP as Alliance partners, the SAIRR - in its latest report - needs to be reminded that the Alliance is not merely based on power opportunism but that it is historical, strategic and representative of the aspirations of the majority of South Africans. No amount of intended negative propaganda by the SAIRR and the opposition will succeed in destabilising the Alliance.

In his closing remarks at the 52nd ANC National Conference, President Zuma eloquently described the Alliance as being based on mutual trust and respect, saying it should be defended and protected by all ANC members. Building, nurturing and defending the Alliance is an ANC mandate.

The 52nd ANC Conference was clear in its resolution confirming the Policy Conference assertion that the right of individual Alliance partners to discuss and arrive at own decisions and pursuing own strategic objectives should be respected. Conference - consistent with this principle - also resolved that the ANC would continue to determine - in its own structures and processes - how best to advance its own strategic objectives.

The leadership role of the ANC - in terms of the 52nd Conference resolution - places on it the primary responsibility to unite the Alliance and all democratic forces.   

Statement issued by Jessie Duarte National Spokesperson African National Congress, June 25 2009.

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter

Services Subscribe to newsletters News feeds Share this article Facebook Google Laaik.it Yahoo! Digg del.icio.us

Comments

If you come across comments that are injurious, defamatory, profane, off-topic or inappropriate; contain personal attacks or racist, sexist, homophobic, or other slurs, please report them and they will be removed.

 

responses to this article

PRESIDENT HAS SPOKEN AT LAST I look for "WHAT does MY President think ?" He never corrects Alliance Policy Statements. Is it COSATU's freedom of speech or ... threats to enforce their rule that we endure ? by old, female, paleface on June 26 2009, 07:38 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

no contest First I read Frans Cronje's (SAIRR) article and then I read this response by Jessie Duarte. Jessie you are out of your depth and you sound lame when compared with the articulate comments by Cronje. However, it really makes no difference . .more because we can all sit back and watch events evolve and see the SACP / COSATU consigned to the back roads of South African politics where they belong. If you want further confirmation of this then read what Trevor Manuel has to say in his speech which is also published on Politicsweb today. The wonderful irony is that the more the ANC / SACP / Cosatu try and maintain the appearance of a symbiotically beneficial alliance, the quicker it will fall apart because so many of their individual imperatives are wildly contradictory . .less by ack on June 26 2009, 07:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The Problem with presumed knowledge This one has been predicted for the longest time and it has not happened. No matter how you attempt to construct the superiority of Cronje's argument by putting down Jessie Duarte, the reality it is mere speculation. The key thing people forget . .more is that these organisations are intertwiined at the level of individual. One of the COSATU's biggest problems is that so many of its' leading members are now in Parliament, weakening COSATU's organisational ability. The converse of that problem is that many key individuals have divided loyalty. A split for them would be catastrophic, hence they will work behind the scenes to maintain unity. . .less by To ack on June 26 2009, 10:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Jesse's response raises the Big Question Having achieved "liberation" , it makes sense for the ANC to dissolve intp its component parts. This is what democracy means: giving the voters, rather than their representatives (e.g. Union Bosses) the ability to make choices. The ANC's . .more clinging to its unity begs the question "why"? Certainly there are some within the ANC who retain their "underground" laager mindset and have a defensive unity knee-jerk response. These individuals are yet to achieve personal libertation. The difference between the Mbeki-vote at Polokwane and the percentage who joined Cope suggests that many have stayed behind because of patronage and access to power. This benefit of staying within the ANC camp also explains why the SACP (and Cosatu) do not have the integrity to stand for what they believe in. One only has to visualise a SA political scene built around ideology rather than the ANC's race card to realise what they are costing the country. . .less by Theseus on June 26 2009, 10:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The future looks bright but I am not holding my breath just yet. Within the next 12 months it should become clear whether there will be an ANC/ COSATU/SACP split or if this is just smoke being blown by the alliance. Personally I can't ascertain any benefits of the latter. by Mischa on June 26 2009, 12:36 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Solution For Bedbugs, Cockroaches, Termites Do you have any problem of Khatmal, Deemak, Cockroaches, Rats, in your home or office in Karachi? Contact Now ! Friends Fumigation Services Jacob Line, Saddar, Karachi. Contact Person: Mohammad Nasir Cell No. . .more 0321-2016825 & 0333-3219460 . .less by Pest Control on June 26 2009, 21:40 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

grateful thanks May I be permitted to express my gratitude that everything has been explained so fully and expertly.? Gosh I cannot tell you how relieved I am that all is now just fine in the land of nodding donkeys and that all good little ANC pikkaninies get a . .more kiss and a cuddle from all the following evry single night: ANC ( of course) COSATU SACP NEHAWU SANCO before curling up in their woolly blankets for a good night's rest. After the kissing comes the bed time stories read by Uncle Gwede follwed by a round of menatl arithmetic ( 1 times table) led by none other than jolly Julie who also warns the babies about the Big bad Zillewolf Gosh with all this kissing they had better ensure against germs and contamination. It's all rather P******* isn't it? . .less by Plutarch on June 27 2009, 14:35 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ANC response What I find revealing is the ANC obsession with unity. I understand it was a "broad church" during apartheid days and had to impose unity, discipline and cohesion during this time. However, we are constantly bombarded (by ANC spokespeople and . .more the SABC - same thing?) that we are now living in the "democratic era" or "democratic dispensation". That being so, there is no more need for ANC cohesion UNLESS it is focussed on retaining power and patronage rather than parliamentary democracy. In my book, true liberation - especially from apartheid - will only happen when the issues the country faces are debated by parliamentary parties (and the fourth estate academics and general public) and is free from race. Judged by these standards, the ANC, especially citizen Duarte, have a long way to go. . .less by Theseus on June 28 2009, 12:18 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Is it just me or... does anyone else have the idea that Jessie Duarte can be relied on to do three things only? To lie; first, foremost, at every occasion. To deny; according to her there are never any problems and the ANC has a plan for everything. To . .more dissemble; she is entirely artless. All comrades are always absolutely united-- until they aren't, in which case they are confused and need re-education. My god this woman is a walking disaster zone. If this is the best the ANC can do to present its public face then it is clear they have nothing but complete contempt for everything and everybody who is not one of them. . .less by Cassandra on June 28 2009, 18:58 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Jesse Takes ugly pills every morning. by Rumpleforskin on June 29 2009, 09:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Secretary General Gwede Mantashe Someone should play an oversight role but surely not a toothless bufoon like Secretary General Gwede Mantashe ?? by Thabo on June 29 2009, 12:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Name
Subject
Comment