Dear President Jacob Zuma
President Zuma, I humbly congratulate you for the past five year term you led the African National Congress. It is undisputed that you gave your life for the public, and liberation of Africans in particular and Blacks in general. Your biography testifies that your name will always be mentioned amongst the greatest in South Africa.
Your generation can take a leaf with pride, you fought a good fight. You experience the evils of apartheid, the historic breakthrough of democratic state, and the economic stability and growth, for that you deserve a pat at the back.
You laid a good foundation for second phase of transition, some of the victories are: instigating a democratic constitution, piloting democratic organizations, structuring the state with separate powers, adopting good policies with balance favor for both business, and the poor, and creating conducive environment that attracts foreigners and their investment.
As a citizen of this country, and the supporter member of ANC, which is the democratic leader of all South Africans through State Administration, I am compelled to make a wise proposal to you and all who are above 65 years of age. Sir, you are 70 and surely your are tired.
Your fellow comrades who are above 65yrs of age have passed a retirement age, which you acknowledge legislatively. I am persuaded in my thinking that you know that a legal retirement age, is by no means an accident nor a mistaken stratification.
I raise this point due to the need to remind and console you and your peers that aging is a normal process of life. The hard fact is, not retiring will not make you any less aged or more younger. I kindly ask you--veterans to accept that you are aged, and it is time for you to take your rightful positions.-veterans league leadership. This point is a matter of national interest, particularly for ANC revival or reformation, in accordance with policy conference resolution. President Zuma by no means am I trying to offend you and your peer, after all you are my Parent figures.
Since the process for nomination of ANC National Leadership is opened. You and your peers may be exited, it is normal, it reminds you of a long time tradition which you where part of, to be exact I was one year old in 1979, when you first became part of the NEC. But I plea with you, Mr. Montlanthe, and other elders to allow yourself to let go, there is nothing wrong if you say to the ANC, we served our people, "it is time for us to give you the baton", make it clear that you must be good examples.
You can't say people must retire at the age of 60, but not us. Tell the ANC, say we are now elders, but we will serve you and the organization by other means, not by being in the fore front.
As the policy conference made an analysis that we are still in the transition from colonial apartheid towards a national democratic society, however, it will be unfair to ask of you and the Motlanthe’s of this world to lead the current phase of National Democratic Revolution.
You have an opportunity to break a bad habit or tendency by African Leaders to lead until their biological organs die.Your legacy will be beautifully remembered if you can retire now, otherwise, I am afraid for you, that you are not immune from the embarrassment Mr Mbeki has experience;recall before the term ends.
I must say, this will be the most wisest move to make, considering the resolution that we are entering in the second phase of the transition, and ANC as the leader of social change need revamping. This will mean as elders, you trust the capacity, ability and aptitudes of Cadres in their 50's and 40's who you mentored, to be at the fore front to lead and take ANC to the higher heights.
President Zuma, while I differ with some ANCYL sects and Malema's approach, and disrespect for you and the elders; I do agree however, with the sentiment, that the "second phase of transition" should be led by those who are younger than your generation. I am of the view that the veterans like yourself should rest and relax, your service can be that of teaching, and guiding not leading in fore front.
The like's of Collins Chabane, Malosi Kikaba, Thandi Modise, Baleka Mbethe, Lindiwe Sisulu , and obviously Fikile Mbalula can be the best top 6, to fulfill the expectation of the resolutions taken in the policy conference at Galaga. They can revive ANC; together with a vibrant NEC AND NWC. This type of a top 6 should be considered to break the factional domination, and mistakes when it come to elections.
Mr President THROUGH YOU, I therefore, propose to ANC branches, leagues, and alliance to brake a terrible ANC curse of the tradition for succession. Surely, this team make a good combination, they qualify through the standard of "through the eye of the needle" and they served the in the ANC for years in different capacities.
Perhaps you are asking who should occupy which position, I WOULD SUGGEST THIS order:
Collins Chabane: President
Baleka MBETHE: Deputy President
Lindiwe Sisulu: Chairperson
Malosi Kikaba: Treasure
Fikile Mbalula: Secretary General
Thandi Modise: Deputy Secretary
Mr. President, others may argue, saying the ANC is faced with extreme challenge, the above core is too young, perhaps they will be suitable for next term. I would agree by suggesting this combination of central leadership, as an antithesis of my above argumentation. While I think the younger generation should be given a chance, however, I will be shameful to argue against this combination, it is by far better, even compared to your led list and Motlanthe's led list.
Presiden: Jeff Radebe
Deputy Pres: Cyril Ramaphosa ,
N.Chairperson: Baleka Mbete
Sect Gen: Collins Chabane
Dep Sect Gen: Jessie Duarte,
TG: Lindiwe Sisulu/ Ruth Bhengu
I honestly desire that you and all the delegates to Mangaung will consider this position even if it means betraying those who send you to the conference, who insist on factional list. I wish you good health.
Yours faithfully
Reece Phatudi (love activist, social commentator, and author of Essentials of Love)Writing from Seshego Zone 1
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