ANC secretary general blames infighting on elitist attitudes

The fight within the ANC is caused by people who want to make the organisation a small and tightly-knit one for a “civilised” class of people only, said the party’s secretary general, Gwede Mantashe, on Wednesday.

Mantashe told the United Association of South Africa national congress in Boksburg: “We came in and said we want the ANC to include everyone – we want it to be a multi-class party.” He said: “According to the Freedom Charter, South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black or white.That is why I am here today, that is why it was important for me to come here and listen to you.”He said no government could just reclaim authority against the will of the people.”After our December conference in Polokwane, we decided and adopted to make this [Freedom Charter] a reality.”We decided that we are going to go out there, talk to the people, hear people’s views and speak to minority communities who had no interaction with the ANC in the past.”He said white people were pushed aside, and had become spectators of change around them for the past 10 years.”We want to connect with people and bridge the gap that was created over the years they were marginalised.We want the party’s thinking to be influenced by the people.”He was questioned by a member of the union, on why he was now criticising the former leadership of the ANC, whereas the economy of this country grew during their term in office.”Let me correct this …it was not the leadership that grew the economy, but the ANC.The policies belong to the ANC.It is the organisation that produces your Thabo Mbekis, Nelson Mandelas, and your Oliver Tambos.It is not the other way round.”Mantashe said there was a saying within the ANC, especially when talking to investors, that there would be no change.”That is not true, there would be change where we see that something is not working and there would be no change where things are progressing.”He referred to this, saying it was the reason why they removed leaders, “when they became big and resistant”.Mantashe said it has always been like that in the ANC.The party did not allow its leaders to think they were bigger than the organisation.He said the country was not going down economically, as he had seen consistency in the economy for the past 10 years.”As you see we are faced with the global financial crisis, but our bank system remains intact.”Nampa-SapaHe said: “According to the Freedom Charter, South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black or white.That is why I am here today, that is why it was important for me to come here and listen to you.”He said no government could just reclaim authority against the will of the people.”After our December conference in Polokwane, we decided and adopted to make this [Freedom Charter] a reality.”We decided that we are going to go out there, talk to the people, hear people’s views and speak to minority communities who had no interaction with the ANC in the past.”He said white people were pushed aside, and had become spectators of change around them for the past 10 years.”We want to connect with people and bridge the gap that was created over the years they were marginalised.We want the party’s thinking to be influenced by the people.”He was questioned by a member of the union, on why he was now criticising the former leadership of the ANC, whereas the economy of this country grew during their term in office.”Let me correct this …it was not the leadership that grew the economy, but the ANC.The policies belong to the ANC.It is the organisation that produces your Thabo Mbekis, Nelson Mandelas, and your Oliver Tambos.It is not the other way round.”Mantashe said there was a saying within the ANC, especially when talking to investors, that there would be no change.”That is not true, there would be change where we see that something is not working and there would be no change where things are progressing.”He referred to this, saying it was the reason why they removed leaders, “when they became big and resistant”.Mantashe said it has always been like that in the ANC.The party did not allow its leaders to think they were bigger than the organisation.He said the country was not going down economically, as he had seen consistency in the economy for the past 10 years.”As you see we are faced with the global financial crisis, but our bank system remains intact.”Nampa-Sapa