Ramphele not fit for politics, says Sadtu

Cape Town 140128- Agang leader Mamphele Ramphele speaking at the press conference after announing she will become the presidential candidate for the DA. Picture Cindy waxa.Reporter Argus/

Cape Town 140128- Agang leader Mamphele Ramphele speaking at the press conference after announing she will become the presidential candidate for the DA. Picture Cindy waxa.Reporter Argus/

Published Jan 30, 2014

Share

 

Johannesburg - AgangSA founder Mamphela Ramphele is not fit for politics, the SA Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu) said on Thursday.

“Ramphele has failed her first test in leadership even before the elections by grabbing the first stick of carrot dangled in front of her by the DA,” it said in a statement.

“We may not be members of AgangSA, but it is clear to everyone that this party was established and run by an unprincipled and self-centred person.”

Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille on Tuesday announced that Ramphele, currently AgangSA leader, would be the DA's presidential candidate in the general elections this year.

AgangSA reportedly intends electing another leader to contest the general elections. However, the DA has said the two parties plan to merge.

Sadtu claimed Ramphele and Zille were “birds of a feather” and said both had a deep disrespect for teachers, specifically Sadtu members.

“In 2012, Ramphele called Sadtu members drunkards, drug addicts and indebted to no end.

“When the 2013 matric results were announced, and the Western Cape was not at the top, Zille called for an audit of the exams as she could not believe that black-dominated and previously-disadvantaged provinces could make it to the top,” the union said.

In October 2012, Ramphele, who was Gold Fields chairwoman at the time, reportedly said: “Many of those teachers who are members of Sadtu are alcoholics, some are hooked on drugs and many are indebted to no end.”

Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke claimed Ramphele was a “political hypocrite”.

“We urge her to go back to her world of academia and business, which perhaps has room for people to deceive and exploit others,” he said. - Sapa

Related Topics: