The ACDP endorses struggle veteran Frank Chikane's call for political leaders to emulate former president Nelson Mandela, its leader Kenneth Meshoe said on Wednesday.
“Unlike many politicians in government today, who are concerned about self promotion and personal gain rather than serving the people, Mr Nelson Mandela displayed selfless leadership,” Meshoe said.
“When one looks at government leaders who spend huge amounts of money on promoting themselves in newspapers, whilst people are crying for basic services, one can easily conclude that they don’t care.”
Meshoe said Chikane was accurate when he identified the triple Fs – friends, family and factions – as a reason for corruption, selfishness, and greed in some government leaders.
Chikane reportedly said many ANC leaders today were “sell-outs”.
He was talking at a colloquium in Qunu in the Eastern Cape in honour of Mandela, who turned 94 on Tuesday.
Chikane said ANC leaders today needed to look at party veterans like Mandela, Oliver Tambo, and Walter Sisulu as examples of good leadership.
Meshoe said: “Unlike the incumbent, when Mr Mandela was the president he did not focus on developing Qunu while ignoring the plight of many destitute communities.
“There is no justification for spending R64 million on developing President Jacob Zuma's homestead, while there are still millions of South Africans who do not have clean running water and proper sanitation.”
Although Chikane did not mention Zuma, his speech was a veiled attack on the current ANC leadership, said Meshoe.
The colloquium continued on Wednesday with Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale expected to address delegates.
The African Christian Democratic Party wished Mandela well on his birthday. – Sapa