Bloemfontein - The ANC, despite growing in size and power, must remember to earn its leadership role in the country, SA Communist Party secretary-general Blade Nzimande said on Thursday.
“Being big comes with responsibilities,” he told delegates at the closing of the ANC's national conference in Mangaung.
“Being big alone does not make the ANC... It must earn its leadership daily on the ground by being able to lead the masses of the country.”
He said the alliance needed to make in-roads at a local level by joining NGOs, school governing bodies and faith-based organisations.
“We cannot leave those positions to opportunists.”
Nzimande said those who attacked President Jacob Zuma and the ANC were regarded as heroes by the media.
“We will not be heroes of the media,” he said to cheers from delegates. - Sapa