Apartheid wasn't better - Mantashe
2012-12-16 20:42
Bloemfontein - Those who say South Africa was better under apartheid do not understand the history of the country, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said on Sunday.
"There are serious offences [levelled] against the ANC. Some people say nothing has changed since 1994," he told delegates at the ANC's national conference in Mangaung.
"You say 'this ANC' [is worse]. You are 25 and 30, which ANC do you know?"
Mantashe criticised ANC members who were "rude, disrespectful and who manipulate processes".
"The impact of manipulating processes is that it deprives a lot of ANC members [of their rights in the party]," he said.
"You [who manipulate] want a pre-determined outcome. We must deal with this behaviour."
Mantashe said certain delegates said they wanted change in the party's leadership.
"People say they want change and they do this and this," he said holding up two fingers and rolling his hands.
"Here, they change their names from members, and they become delegates. Once you enter this hall you have a lot of power.
"It is not our call about a change in leadership. It is your call."
Mantashe said the party was criticised for the late delivery of textbooks.
"In apartheid there was one person with a book and he was a teacher," he said. "This is a different crisis, it is not the same [as under apartheid]."
Mantashe said intellectuals produced by the ANC had to strengthen the party.
"Intellectuals must strengthen the movement. We need a strong ANC."
Mantashe said intellectuals produced by the ANC should not see it fashionable to predict the demise of the party.
He roasted leaders who were quoted in newspapers as sources.
"Leaking information is dangerous. What kind of leader are you, if you read newspapers and you adopt a new English name... You must state your name."
- SAPA
