Sisulu the leader ANC needs

Lindiwe Sisulu File photo: ANA Pictures

Lindiwe Sisulu File photo: ANA Pictures

Published Jul 26, 2017

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The ANC succession race will probably be the most robust yet, with commentators anticipating a factional bloodbath come December. The next few months will be critical as they'll shape the future of the ANC and the country. 

Once nominations open in September and the presidential nominees are acclaimed, so begins either the resurgence or slow death of the oldest liberation movement in Africa, with the hard, fast, unforgiving head-to-head run towards the elective conference.

In theory, Lindiwe Sisulu should be cantering towards a clear victory. After spending her life as part of the Struggle, Sisulu has extensive, possibly unmatched, experience in the executive. She has been tested in roles as varied as defence minister and public service and administration minister. She has raised the profile of women in politics, undertaking her mother’s lifelong role as “ceiling-cracker” to the doors of the Union Buildings. 

However, trust is always a big issue in presidential campaigns, and in 
Sisulu’s case, despite her impeccable record, she has not escaped the corruption tag so easily placed on ANC members. She has, for example, been chastised over the expenditure of R10 million by the Department of Human Settlements (DHS) on flowers (or gifts), even though she was not minister of human settlements during that period, 2013/2014. Despite the department clarifying the above, media houses led with the story that she was responsible and needed to answer.

The “corruption tag” is further exasperated by claims that she was silent on Nkandla and state capture. These can be proved to be incorrect with a basic Google search. However, the intention is clear. Taint possibly the one person who could oversee the resurgence of the ANC as a corruption-free, strong and united organisation. 

By tainting Sisulu’s name, those who seek a change of power from the ANC (or a faction to win), aim to influence branches into believing that Sisulu is corrupt, separate from the people, and unable to build a united ANC. 

The fear that she might win has struck a deep chord with those who push factionalism, as well as those opportunistic few who want a change of power in 2019. This is the only justifiable reason why, on the day Sisulu accepted her nomination by branches, an opposition party released a press statement asking the minister to explain the R10m expenditure on flowers. They failed to mention that she was not DHS minister during that period. 

Was this an oversight or a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of a credible leader?

In December, the ANC will have a new president. Things will change. The question is: What kind of change are we going to have?

While the ANC has historically been a “home for all”, the factional battles seem to represent a more divided ANC.

Both so-called factions (Cyril Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma supporters) have run campaigns of divisiveness, fear and insults, pitting comrade against comrade, for the prize of being president. The result is a divided and weaker ANC. 

The elective conference is not just about which names are put forward. It's about who we are as a movement and whether we are going to have a change that makes us stronger or splinters our beloved movement beyond repair.

This is something Ramaphosa and Dlamini Zuma need to think about. 

In 1991, possibly out of fear of creating greater divisions, Chris Hani and Thabo Mbeki were persuaded to withdraw from the race for ANC deputy president, in favour of Walter Sisulu.

While ambition, confidence and determination have always been characteristic of ANC leaders, we implore both to consider what their victory will mean. What kind of ANC will remain after the December conference?

In 1991, Hani and Mbeki's decision to withdraw, in favour of Sisulu, was a selfless act. 

Can Ramaphosa and Dlamini Zuma step aside, for the sake of unity?

Sisulu might not be the leader so-called factions want. But she is the leader the ANC needs.

Fanzlin Fransman

ANC and ANCYL member, Cape Town

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