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Zuma: ANC unity under strain
12/01/2008 12:41 - (SA)
Pretoria - The unity if the African National Congress is "paramount", ANC president Jacob Zuma said on Saturday.
He was delivering the ANC's traditional January 8th address at the party's 96th Birthday Celebrations in Atteridgeville, West of Pretoria.
Thousands of people have gathered to hear Zuma's first keynote speech since he was elected ANC president in December.
"We acknowledge that the past few months and years have place unity of the ANC under great strain," Zuma said in his speech.
"We concede that the contestation of leadership positions, an important and necessary part of our democratic processes, served at times to fuel a perception of discord within our ranks," he added. Warning
However, Zuma also warned that those who threatened the unity of the movement would face "very serious action".
"ANC members outside government will not be allowed to undermine those in government. Equally, those deployed in government cannot undermine comrades working in the ANC. "Should this happen, we will take very serious action," Zuma said.
Deviating from his prepared speech Zuma also said if the discord continues "you'll have to remove me from the ANC".
His message of unity was welcomed by loud cheers from the crowd.
Zuma said the ANC needed to pay "particular attention" to the unity and cohesion of the party.
"The great strength of the ANC over its 96 years of struggle has been its ability to unite the people of South Africa and to itself remain united, coherent organ of popular action," Zuma said.
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