With all that the infamous former ANCYL president, Julius Malema, has been through and/or is going through (expulsion from the ANC and the recent charges against him), it no wonder that the “Malema faction” is now singing ‘Motlanthe for President’ song. But Suppose Kgalema Motlanthe becomes ANC presidential elect after Mangaung, how will that trickle down to poor unemployed South Africans? Or is it just a matter of settling Political scores?
To ANC, the Youth League and other people interested in the political arena, this is how the political game is played, but to ordinary South African 2014 would be a chance to vote for someone who will deliver on his promises. #OOMF said Motlanthe would be elected at Mangaung because he represent “hope” and that he would definitely” serve the poor”. Powerful statement which shouldn’t be taken at face value. First, Let me take you a step back and remind you of how “hopeful” we were when Jacob Zuma was voted ANC president on the 52nd national ANC conference that was held in Limpopo, Polokwane. Remember how excited we were when Thabo Mbeki wasn’t re-elected and was subsequently recalled. We supported Jacob Zuma through his Trials and sang along to the infamous “mshini wami” and thought that the charges against him were a mere political conspiracy intended to sabotage his political aspirations. We were “hopeful” that unlike his educated predecessor, this rural ‘not so educated’ comrade was going to serve the poor and that he was different and the ANCYL league sang the “Zuma for President” song also. Malema was an undisputed Zuma Fan.
Now let’s fast forward to 2012, Zuma has become what Mbeki was in 2007/8; someone who not only failed comrades but also South Africans and therefore should be discarded and replaced. Kgalema Motlanthe on the other hand has become what Zuma was; a hero, South Africa’s knight in Shining armour. But this would only last for as long Motlanthe is willing to dance to the tunes of the ANCYL and I’m convinced that failure to do that will result in him becoming what Zuma has become. ANCYL’s number 1 enemy. Someone to be ridiculed and called names in Public.
On the launch of “Kgalema Motlanthe: A Political Biography” by Ebrahim Harvey, deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe said he wants the words “others suggested, he implemented” to be written in his tombstone, clearly casting himself not only as different but also suggesting that he would be a better leader. But didn’t President Zuma in the mist of Mbeki AIDS denialism, also say “we must declare state of emergency on AIDS (and crime)”. I’m convinced that the worse that could happen in Mangaung is President Jacob Zuma being re-elected for second term as ANC president. But most importantly, for ordinary poor South Africans, it doesn’t matter who comes out victorious at Mangaung. What a lot of ordinary poor unemployed South Africans are concerned with is whether the ANC will fulfil its promises.
Babane Mzangwe
#OOMF is an acronym for one of my followers on twitter.
Follow me @Sb_Mzangwe on twitter
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