Just when South Africans thought that rifts within the alliance were a thing of the past post-Zuma versus Mbeki, along comes the next big one. This time it is Cosatu taking on what it considers to be the anti-left elements within the ANC.
If regard is had to the Reuters article (click on link) then it appears to be that the primary areas of concern relate to the economy and Cosatu’s perception that certain members of the ANC’s national executive committee are bitterly opposed to trade unions and the SACP.
Whereas previously it had been the ANCYL, Cosatu, the SACP and the left wing of the ANC who had stood firm with President Zuma against former president Thabo Mbeki, this time the lines are somewhat slightly more blurred.
On Sunday the SACP stated that it respected the ANC’s “multi-class character” and was committed to working with all its alliance partners. This was soon followed by its confirmation that it was examining the question of deployment to the ANC. This coming after the recent public spat between Cronin and Julius Malema over nationalisation.
The ANCYL itself appears to be committed to following a more leftist approach but at times acts as if it is a party all on its own. Certainly no feelings are spared when senior members of the alliance cross swords with them.
Cosatu under Vavi are more powerful than ever before yet have not achieved the results they desire in terms of areas such as central bank independence and inflation-targeting. This appears to be ruffling more than just a few feathers particularly when these key areas come up for debate.
Which leaves the ANC, who are in power having gathered strength from the support of those set out above. Undoubtedly they are left of the ANC of Mbeki and should be more or less in sync with other members of the alliance.
Apparently for some inexplicable reason this is not the case.
In the ordinary course South Africans would be entitled to believe that this could easily be sorted out through meetings and open debate rather than through the media and threats. The parties concerned are after all supposed to be singing from the same hymn book.
Unfortunately, however, this does not appear to be the case and though it is nice to hear that the SACP respects the diversity of the ANC as well as the alliance partners constantly reassuring each other that all is well, it is hard to escape from the Zuma versus Mbeki trauma. In that instance and far too often the party denied there being any rift while the factions tore each other to shreds. This coincidentally while blaming the media for the fight.
South Africa, with all due respect to those involved, cannot financially or emotionally afford another alliance war. It is time for the individual parties to get together to sort this one out quickly and advise anyone who breaks ranks to start looking for a new party outside of the alliance.
Nip it in the bud before the groupings even start to form.
For everyone’s sake.
The opportunism of Zwelinzima Vavi and his relentless attack on Mbeki is deeply disturning.
Mbeki made enormous mistakes during his tenure but we had more order in his country. You could never hear of someone exhorting others to kill for political purposes. Also, Mbeki is the most virtuos, most continent and most morally-inclined statesman in the world (he as well as Obama). They espose the highest values to aspire to.
The alliance has had its day. It should break ties. We’re tired of the Malema’s, the Blades and the Vavis who are always looking for a fight, always threatening bloodshed if their wishes are not met.
On the contrary Traps, the alliance has run its course. What SA needs is a strong COSATU challenging the ANC. There currently isn’t a strong black challenge for the ANC.
By the way, Cronin and Malema have kissed and made up. You know why? Because Cronin APOLOGISED! If we had more people like him this country would move foward. Both of them (Malema and Cronin) were wrong but people were willing to overlook the fact that Cronin said something offensive first (that Malema is obsessed with “bling”). For those of you who don’t know, the word “bling” was coined by African-American rappers who have a lot of money and bad taste. If I were Malema, I would be offended too. But he had no business calling Cronin a “white Messiah”.
I would strongly suggest that they split into separate parties and then see how much weight they carry with the electors. This current carry-on where people get into power as part of the Alliance gives the SACP and COSATU a false sense of their value to SA.
The ANC should sort out the Youth League or call for elections in that extremely sexist body. At least a 50/50 balance ought be the aim on the latter’s Exco with women given equal rights, which they plainly don’t have right now.
What is disconcerting to me is the number of alliance members in government who are effectively unelected. It shouldn’t be that a vote for the ANC is used to place someone from COSATU or the SACP in government. Especially the ideological divide between these parties, despite their (unholy) alliance.
The best for all, in my opinion, would be for these organisations to each go their separate ways and to contest the next elections individually.
The alliance seems to be a liability. It’s about time our ANC stood its ground, on its own, and leave COSATU and SACP to whither. It is very cold out there!
I love the fact that Cosatu is challenging the ANCYL on the nationalisation of mines. If only the tripartite alliance could act like 3 bodies keeping each other in check, what an awesome place SA would be at. Maybe the rifts are a good thing, and when they’re sorted out, we’ll have a more balanced government.. maybe I’m being naive, but one can hope.
Yes it would be interesting to see how the SACP and COSATU would fare in an election. The ANC would probably trounce both movements, but perhaps COSATU less so than the SACP. At least COSATU has plenty of paid up members with jobs and independent minds. Whilst this might not translate into votes, they certainly would be a creditable party to reckon with. Are they too afraid to go it alone. Do they fear the loss of power and influence that might follow election defeat? Who knows?
Good grief. I find myself agreeing with a whole bunch (alas, not all) of what Lipsyncski has to say on a contentious subject. What is the world coming to?
Its common cause, we desperately need a strong, balanced, pro poor opposition to stand against the ANC. An opposition lead by TRUSTED comrades who have shown their metal in terms of working for a more equitable distribution of wealth and property and who stand as one with poor people of our country. Only an opposition with the above credendials would be capable of pulling massive numbers of black people in particular to its ranks. Should COSATU under Vavi decide to split from the ruling party and run for elections in its own right, that would be a very positive development for RSA. In addition to an equitable distribution of wealth and property we need a more equitable distribution of political power. The two areas are as important as each other and if we do not find balance in both, we will remain unbalanced as a country on all sides and finally topple over. A major split of this nature would be most welcome – it should be swift and clinical and executed without the usual degrading, destructive, undignified, abusive rhetoric being spewed into the public domain. Just do it Zweli!
For a very long time that I have known the ANC-led Alliance, read its history and participated in its structures, at no point did our relationship ever turned into being romantic and about exchanging love letters and sweet words – it has always been about clarity of political thought and direction through robust (sometimes even bitter) engagements.So don’t panic Traps or raise panic button – just don’t expect honeymoon in the politics of the Alliance, ‘finish & klaar’
To run a country you need cunning and intellect, Mbeki had both, Zuma lacks one; I will not mention which. Intellect is not necessarily educational in nature but to run South Africa INC. you need both the inherent and the learned. The leadership within the Alliance in its entirety is cunning but not intellectual in its approach; otherwise the status quo would not exist.
Sorry to quote the New testament at you, Michael, but Galatians 6:2 makes for interesting reading in the SA context:
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
It is evident that the ANC and their allies either do not believe that this is true, or do not even believe that God exists (in the sense of objective, ultimate reality).
To spoell it out, how do people expect to use tactics of division and factionalism to gain power, and then to escape the ongoing consequences of division and factionalism whilst in power?
The struggle was a breeze. It’s so much easier to unite and rebel against something than it is to stay together and rule.
Blackbravo – that is a pretty astute post! A profound assessment.
Yes Mike! It’s that history repeating itself again!
The Alliance is not going anywhere, just keep on dreaming people.For your information the struggle for total freedom of South African in particular poor African will never come on silver plater, hence contradiction will continue to sharpen within ANC-lead Alliance.
We should not loss sight, this is part of the National Democratic Revolution and if you can not stand the heat get out of the kitchen.Because forming a new party won’t help the development of this country.People want food,better health system ,Jobs and real houses. So instead of forming new parties lets use our intellect and skills to help this government to deliver on the mandate given during election on 22 April 2009.
South African in particular those who run the organisation through the new paper must get use to the contradictions within Alliance.For your information the ANC is a broad church and the ALL MDM structures are sharping the strategic direction of the ANC.
Polokwane resolution has been reduced to various departmental strategic objectives and already implemented in all place of work in public and private sector.This is an indication that 2007 National congress resolution were not a joke but real.
Cde Malema is the President of the ANCYL just get use to that.Theory of contradiction is that when one contradiction is resolve another one emerge. Contradiction is like risk and risk is risk.This not time for comfort zones ,it time to work. Aluta Continua!!!!!!!
@Moss: It’s clear you have seen the light and you are now becoming more sensible.
I totally agree with you my dear cde Fellowfighter. What my gud ppl heare misout on is the fact that in every heated and robust debate the alliance comes to a resolution that is welcomed by all the tehree parties. also my friends hera expect the Alliance to romance each other while that is not the founding principle of this alliance. This parties came to this ally knowingly so that they didffer in their owm cultures and traditions.
The only thing this alliance needs is the National Democratice Revolution of all the people of South Africa. And COSATU & SACP will at all time influence the ANC as the ruling party for the better lives of all the People. So the tensions and bitterness that everyone is talking about is all an illusion everyone wish could happen to the alliance, Guess what that is not gonna happen any time soon. the alliance is trong and will continue to function in thaty fasion untill all the Mandated policis of the Manifesto are met. So Get used to that.
But JM is obsessed with bling, so why on earth did Cronin aplogise? There’s a huge difference between a factual comment and and a blasphemous insult. Neither were subtle, but telling someone he is obsessed with bling is hardly cause for a fist fight or a tantrum.