Johannesburg -
The ANC in Limpopo has drafted a discussion document through which it intends to influence branches as they prepare to nominate a new leadership ahead of the Mangaung conference in December.
The 10-page document, entitled, “ANC Leadership in the Current Phase of the National Democratic Revolution”, was released after the provincial executive meeting on Monday.
It encourages members to ask “certain questions” about President Jacob Zuma and the leadership that was elected in the Polokwane conference in December 2007. “This discussion should assist us towards generating a common perspective in electing the ANC leadership in the forthcoming 53rd ANC national conference,” the document states.
Limpopo, under chairman and Premier Cassel Mathale, opposes Zuma’s second term. But Mathale’s deputy, Dickson Masemola, is known to be a Zuma supporter.
“We also need to go beyond moralistic leadership requirements such that leadership must be beyond reproach in their conduct and should act as role model to both ANC and non-ANC members,” the document says.
The document also places ANC and government policies in the past 18 years under scrutiny.
“This limited BEE has enabled a few leaders in the movement to become incorporated as political entrepreneurs representing the interests of white monopoly capital in our organisation, resulting in new class interests which often set leaders against ordinary ANC members and the general aspirations of the people.”
The document appears to admit that the tripartite alliance of the ANC, Cosatu and the SACP is beset with problems.
“Furthermore, the ANC leadership must be able to ideologically defend the ANC against its opportunistic critics, including [those] from the alliance partners.”
It criticised the fighting over positions in the ANC.
“In certain parts of the country this has also led to the killing of fellow comrades.”
The issue of discipline is also raised.
The topic could be seen as disquiet over Zuma’s leadership to discipline and ultimately expel former ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema.
It said the ANC needed a leadership that tolerated revolutionary dissent and political differences, including from the leagues.
“In instances where discipline has to be enforced, leadership has to do so consistently.”
The document adds that the ANC president should be committed to radical economic transformation, have a scientific outlook of the material world, have unifying abilities, and the ability to bring new theoretical and strategic insights into the movement.
“The secretary-general [position] should be occupied by a person with the same qualities as the president’s, but more importantly, [he/she] should have the capacity to mobilise and organise the motive forces behind the ANC through organisational building.”
The Star understands the meeting suggested that Zuma’s deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, treasurer Mathews Phosa, ANC NEC members Fikile Mbalula, Tokyo Sexwale and Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma should be part of the new ANC leadership.
Spokesman Makonde Mathivha confirmed this.
“Yes, the PEC [provincial executive committee] discussed this desire. We were not nominating, but we were discussing,” he said.
The party’s NEC will officially open the nomination period in October.
The Star