Durban - ANC national chairwoman Baleka Mbete is concerned about the crumbling of the party, cautioning “comrades” against killing each other in their battle for political positions.
Speaking on Saturday at the funeral of Lulu Dube, 84, the only surviving daughter of the founding president of the ANC, Dr Langalibalele Dube, who died last week after a long illness, she told mourners who packed the 6 000-seater marquee at Ohlange Institute in Inanda that Lulu’s father would be “turning” in his grave as she spoke about the deterioration of the party.
“We are killing each other because we want to take over as party candidates.
“Why do we do that comrades, because that’s not the teachings of the generation of Dube and Lulu?” she asked.
Lulu was laid to rest next to her parents at Ohlange Institute, a school founded by her father in 1900. It's also where former president Nelson Mandela cast his vote in 1994.
Two ANC members were gunned down in Pietermaritzburg this week in what have been described as “politically motivated killings”.
Alliance partners also used the funeral to vent their anger about the squabbles in the ANC-led alliance.
Cosatu provincial deputy chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal John Dlamini said Lulu had asked what she could do for the ANC and not what the ANC could do for her.
“We must all work together in the alliance to solve the problems that are facing us,” he added.
Deputy mayor of eThekwini, Nomvuzo Shabalala, who spoke at the funeral in her capacity as deputy chairwoman of the SACP, said the ANC-led alliance had itself to blame for the protests across the country.
“We must not pretend we don't know what is the cause of the protests, because we do know. We, as leaders, must go to the people and address their issues,” she said.
Sanco provincial leader Richard Mkhungo said leaders must retaliate when they are removed from positions.
Provincial ANC chairman Sihle Zikalala called for a revival.
Inkatha Freedom Party president Mangosuthu Buthelezi also paid his respects, as did ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize and Deputy Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla.
Independent Media