Opinion / Blogs
There is a temptation to erode the ANC's vital character
21 Nov 2011 at 14:27hrs | Views
There's a temptation to erode the ANC's vital character and replace it with some sense of insecurity, intolerance and impatience, writes JULIUS MALEMA
Throughout its history the African National Congress has sought to build its cadres and build the movement into a formidable organisation with the responsibility and obligation to liberate blacks in general and Africans in particular from political, social and economic bondage.
In fulfilling these responsibilities, the ANC understood that the unity of the politically oppressed and economically exploited majority is paramount.
The ANC thrived in difficult times for close to 100 years, because it tolerated divergent views, perspectives and approaches to be tested within organisational structures and taken as official positions once there is consensus.
It looks like there's a temptation to erode this vital feature of the ANC and replace it with some sense of insecurity, intolerance and impatience by some in the leadership collective.
The recently announced verdict of the ANC's national disciplinary committee (NDC) against the leadership of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) confirms that this culture of tolerance and calculated patience is being put to test.
As we publicly stated, the outcomes of the NDC were premeditated and influenced by political dynamics rather than by what the ANC Constitution says about discipline.
It is still a surprise that I was convicted on the basis of a statement of the ANCYL National Executive Committee, which I did not read, but responded to questions by virtue of my position as president of the ANCYL.
Our conviction happened arbitrarily because the issues we raised in the ANCYL statement were political issues that needed to be engaged with the leadership of the ANC and, as we said on several occasions, we are willing to have political engagements and guidance from the ANC leadership.
The ANC leadership chose to take the disciplinary route and neglected its political obligation to guide the youth league.
The ANCYL believes various factors contributed to the manner in which the ANC handled the disciplinary case.
Among these is the fear of change, which is characteristic of not only older generations in the ANC, but older people across political parties who choose to conserve truths of the past.
The ANCYL is at the forefront of challenging the status quo with regard to South Africa's economy, particularly as it relates to who owns and controls the economy.
The South African racist society has somewhat influenced the older comrades to believe that what is today will be forever concerning the control and ownership of the economy.
Any voice that contradicts the status quo is vulgarised, banished and treated with disdain because the interests of the ruling class are threatened.
This has defined how media relates to the ANCYL leadership and, to a certain extent, influenced the leadership of the ANC and government into believing the ANCYL is a problem.
Another factor is the reality that the ANCYL has more attention in South Africa, Africa and the continent than any political institution or individuals.
This has led to some in leadership feeling they are being outshined by the ANCYL on critical policy issues that have been raised in the public discourse.
As a way of trying to shift the spotlight on critical policy issues, a suspension is unleashed on the youth league leadership.
But the spotlight on the ANCYL will never disappear because the youth league raises critical and relevant issues that require society's attention and guidance.
Attempts to remove individuals from the ANCYL will not help address the fundamental issues that are currently on the table, including the threat Botswana poses to the African continent.
There's also a possibility that certain leaders of the ANC are unsure about the 2012 53rd National Conference of the ANC in Mangaung.
This conference is going to radicalise the ANC on many fronts, but fundamentally on radical policy positions and postures.
The ANC will inevitably change its approach and policies to transform the ANC and that is not because of few individuals in the youth league.
Those who know what happened at the ANC National General Council will attest to the fact that there is a groundswell of voices calling for change in the ANC with regards to the economy.
Nationalisation of mines and expropriation of land without compensation will be policy outcomes of the ANC 53rd National Conference. The leadership that will be elected will also show features of generational mix.
This will happen whether some individuals exist or not.
What the youth league is calling for is political leadership and guidance from the ANC and we are always willing to abide by its guidance.
Banishments are never a solution to the problems society is facing and, as comrades, we need to close ranks and confront the enemy together.
Radical policy shifts will need a strong ground based on our people being ready to suffer a period of change because change is pain.
The ANC we know is a loving and caring organisation and we, now more than ever before, need the love and care of the ANC of Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and many heroes and heroines of the struggle.
We remained loyal to the movement when those who are today being welcomed to rejoin the people's organisation left to form their own failed organisation.
We are called upon by the militant voice to soldier on in unison because victory is certain.
"Unban the youth league, defend the voice of the voiceless."
-----------
Julius Malema is the suspended ANCYL president. He also describes himself as Commander of the Economic Freedom Fighters
Throughout its history the African National Congress has sought to build its cadres and build the movement into a formidable organisation with the responsibility and obligation to liberate blacks in general and Africans in particular from political, social and economic bondage.
In fulfilling these responsibilities, the ANC understood that the unity of the politically oppressed and economically exploited majority is paramount.
The ANC thrived in difficult times for close to 100 years, because it tolerated divergent views, perspectives and approaches to be tested within organisational structures and taken as official positions once there is consensus.
It looks like there's a temptation to erode this vital feature of the ANC and replace it with some sense of insecurity, intolerance and impatience by some in the leadership collective.
The recently announced verdict of the ANC's national disciplinary committee (NDC) against the leadership of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) confirms that this culture of tolerance and calculated patience is being put to test.
As we publicly stated, the outcomes of the NDC were premeditated and influenced by political dynamics rather than by what the ANC Constitution says about discipline.
It is still a surprise that I was convicted on the basis of a statement of the ANCYL National Executive Committee, which I did not read, but responded to questions by virtue of my position as president of the ANCYL.
Our conviction happened arbitrarily because the issues we raised in the ANCYL statement were political issues that needed to be engaged with the leadership of the ANC and, as we said on several occasions, we are willing to have political engagements and guidance from the ANC leadership.
The ANC leadership chose to take the disciplinary route and neglected its political obligation to guide the youth league.
The ANCYL believes various factors contributed to the manner in which the ANC handled the disciplinary case.
Among these is the fear of change, which is characteristic of not only older generations in the ANC, but older people across political parties who choose to conserve truths of the past.
The ANCYL is at the forefront of challenging the status quo with regard to South Africa's economy, particularly as it relates to who owns and controls the economy.
The South African racist society has somewhat influenced the older comrades to believe that what is today will be forever concerning the control and ownership of the economy.
Any voice that contradicts the status quo is vulgarised, banished and treated with disdain because the interests of the ruling class are threatened.
This has defined how media relates to the ANCYL leadership and, to a certain extent, influenced the leadership of the ANC and government into believing the ANCYL is a problem.
Another factor is the reality that the ANCYL has more attention in South Africa, Africa and the continent than any political institution or individuals.
This has led to some in leadership feeling they are being outshined by the ANCYL on critical policy issues that have been raised in the public discourse.
As a way of trying to shift the spotlight on critical policy issues, a suspension is unleashed on the youth league leadership.
But the spotlight on the ANCYL will never disappear because the youth league raises critical and relevant issues that require society's attention and guidance.
Attempts to remove individuals from the ANCYL will not help address the fundamental issues that are currently on the table, including the threat Botswana poses to the African continent.
There's also a possibility that certain leaders of the ANC are unsure about the 2012 53rd National Conference of the ANC in Mangaung.
This conference is going to radicalise the ANC on many fronts, but fundamentally on radical policy positions and postures.
The ANC will inevitably change its approach and policies to transform the ANC and that is not because of few individuals in the youth league.
Those who know what happened at the ANC National General Council will attest to the fact that there is a groundswell of voices calling for change in the ANC with regards to the economy.
Nationalisation of mines and expropriation of land without compensation will be policy outcomes of the ANC 53rd National Conference. The leadership that will be elected will also show features of generational mix.
This will happen whether some individuals exist or not.
What the youth league is calling for is political leadership and guidance from the ANC and we are always willing to abide by its guidance.
Banishments are never a solution to the problems society is facing and, as comrades, we need to close ranks and confront the enemy together.
Radical policy shifts will need a strong ground based on our people being ready to suffer a period of change because change is pain.
The ANC we know is a loving and caring organisation and we, now more than ever before, need the love and care of the ANC of Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and many heroes and heroines of the struggle.
We remained loyal to the movement when those who are today being welcomed to rejoin the people's organisation left to form their own failed organisation.
We are called upon by the militant voice to soldier on in unison because victory is certain.
"Unban the youth league, defend the voice of the voiceless."
-----------
Julius Malema is the suspended ANCYL president. He also describes himself as Commander of the Economic Freedom Fighters
Source - Sunday World
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