ANC Limpopo Response to Slanderous Name Calling of Our Chairperson
The ANC Limpopo takes exception to the defamatory, blatant vilification and labelling of its chairperson, Comrade Cassel Mathale, who is also head of the provincial government (see report).
The Limpopo leg of the COSATU march yesterday was sadly used as a platform to slate duly elected ANC leadership of the province by making slanderous comments and maliciously referring to the Chairperson of the ANC in the province as a ‘thief'. This is equal to defamation of character with the full intention of not only harming his good name but also that of the ANC in the province.
Further to this the ANC is particularly concerned about reference made to ‘concubines' who are allegedly running the government alongside the Premier and ANC Chairperson.
We have observed these insults being hurled at the ANC Chairperson for a sustained period now but for the sake of maintaining a state of peace and unity - the organisation has never officially responded. However, we believe that the individual responsible for these snide remarks made yesterday at the COSATU March in Polokwane, are made with the sole intention to bring the good name of both the chairperson and the ANC leadership in the province into disrepute. We firmly believe that the time has come for the ANC leadership in the province to publicly and unequivocally voice its disappointment at these vulgar tendencies.
COSATU must be careful that its honourable platforms to drive genuine causes for workers are not dragged through the mud and misused by individuals who harbour ill-intentions. The reputation of COSATU as an ANC Alliance partner must not be abused - rather COSATU public platforms must be used to further the struggle of workers; majority of whom also happen to be ANC members. They must not allow themselves to be used by individuals who want to further unclear political agendas and mislead workers and the people of Limpopo.
COSATU's struggle is not against individuals and it is their responsibility to dissociate themselves from individuals with negative aims. If COSATU permits such actions to continue they run the risk of being viewed as anti-ANC.
We are convinced that a motive linked to some frustrated individuals who failed to emerge at the 7th Conference in December 2011 lies behind these ugly tendencies. These forces have congregated again post-conference, to concoct a renewed attack on the ANC in Limpopo with the aim of creating an impression that parallel structures are in charge of public discourse in the ANC.
Politics today calls for open, robust, progressive, creative, transparent and productive engagement with all our constituencies on issues which affect their daily lives. It demands sound ideology (and strategies) inseparable from genuine concern for the socio-economic strife millions are still grappling with. Instead of focusing their energies on positive programmes that will enhance the lives of our people, some individuals in the mass democratic movement have sadly resorted to the kind of cheap conjecture characterised by unintelligent name-calling.
Some of the individuals peddling these disparaging remarks cannot even produce evidence of their membership with the ANC but are openly and falsely positioning themselves as leaders of the movement.
The ANC Limpopo wishes to discourage individuals who resort to this negative and crude behaviour from doing so. Such actions; which on the surface, seem to be aimed solely at the Chairperson of the ANC, also impact the organisation collectively and undermine the sense of peace and stability prevalent within the ranks of the movement. This derisive name-calling brings the organisation into disrepute and undermines any attempts to maintain unity.
We are living in a time that calls for the acknowledgement of the progressive gains made collectively by our organisations in the mass democratic movement within our society. These gains must be celebrated and highlighted, especially in this centenary year of the ANC. A time for recollection of the great achievements made but also a time for introspection and self-correction so that we can lead and take the country forward towards the better life we have long envisaged. Younger generations have to learn from the lessons of successes and tribulations made by their fore-bearers.
In the midst of negative patterns emerging this learning process will not happen.
Statement issued by Cde. Makondelele Mathivha ANC Limpopo Provincial Spokesperson, March 8 2012
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
