Johnnesburg - Reactionary forces continue to take advantage of challenges in society, Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans' Association (MKMVA) chairman Kebby Maphatsoe said on Friday.
“These reactionary forces falsely attribute these ills of the society to the ANC,” he said in a speech prepared for delivery.
Maphatsoe accused those who escaped poverty through the efforts of the African National Congress of being those who questioned the party.
“They are hoodwinked by right-wing forces, which beat the drums of war in peacetime.”
He said veterans could not fail now that the ANC was besieged with problems.
“Not now when the vultures are circling above our heads waiting to feed on their imagined rotting corpse of our revolution.”
Maphatsoe was speaking at Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's 78th birthday party in Soweto on Friday.
He wished the ANC stalwart a happy birthday.
Earlier, President Jacob Zuma and the ANC sent birthday messages to Madikizela-Mandela.
“We join the family in extending good wishes to mama Winnie on her special day,” Zuma said in a statement.
“We will always cherish and remember mama Winnie's fortitude, courage, determination and unwavering commitment to freedom and justice in spite of persecution, pain and hardship during the difficult days of the struggle against apartheid.”
The ANC said the country remained indebted to the role Madikizela-Mandela played in the struggle for democracy.
“We thank her and many other dedicated freedom fighters for their loyalty to the African National Congress,” spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.
“As we mark comrade Nomzamo's birthday today it is with a sense of gratitude to her and her generation for their selfless and unflinching sacrifices.”
Sapa