Durban - Former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan appears to have taken the disruption of the memorial service for Struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada by members of the ANC Youth League in his stride.
Speaking after the memorial, which descended into chaos as Youth League members repeatedly heckled and booed speakers, Gordhan said it was a pity that some people chose to use the occassion as a platform to air political grievances.
This was an obvious reference to criticisms from ANC leaders who last week insisted that occasions like these were not the right place for "political grandstanding".
"But then, this is South Africa; and this is the ANC," said the former finance minister who was axed two weeks ago in a midnight Cabinet reshuffle by President Jacob Zuma.
Gordhan went on to say that the ruling party had to ensure that it introduces the "principles of discipline and unity and principled behaviour that Ahmed Kathrada and his generation stood for."