Smuts Ngonyama — former African National Congress chief of communications — said he had resigned because he was no longer able to ”tolerate or embrace” the recent disrespect of authority in the party.
It was offensive and ”not something we can celebrate”, he said at a press conference in Johannesburg to announce his resignation on Thursday.
Ngonyama is the latest of a slew of ANC members who have left the party to join the Congress of the People (Cope), started by former Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota.
”It is imperative … that I continue to contribute towards the development of South Africa and should do so where I will be able to make the maximum impact,” Ngonyama said at the press conference, which was also attended by former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa.
He scotched reports that he was one of the funders of the new party.
He also would not be drawn on his position in the breakaway party, saying: ”Position doesn’t matter, what matters is space for me to make my contribution and that is what I am looking forward to”.
”I now believe that the Congress of the People is a welcome addition to our political landscape. We have the opportunity to ensure that the dream of non-racialism, non-sexism, and a united, prosperous South Africa remains within our reach”.
Ngonyama said he believed politics was about power.
”You don’t take to the field with an idea of losing, [but] with an idea of winning. I think Cope is aiming to win, however the test will be in the field; the test will be with the people of South Africa. They will express their preference.”
The ANC said on Thursday said it welcomed the resignation of Ngonyama.
”The ANC accepts and welcomes his resignation without any regrets. We wish him luck in this further endeavours,” the party said in a statement.
Spirit of Smuts
Ngonyama also thanked the media. ”Definitely, I would be failing if I didn’t thank you as members of the media.”
”All the time I have worked with you as a spokesman of the ANC … we have never had any serious misunderstanding.”
There had always between a spirit of maturity and that he believed the media had come to accept that the ”spirit of Smuts” was that he was ”not going to give us the scoops we want”.
At the start of the press conference, Ngonyama said he had not spoken to the media for some time and was ”quite nervous”.
He later joked that he would now have to accept the possibility that he could be misquoted and would have to see how he could ”get out of it”.
Nonetheless, until now he and the media had had ”a good relationship together”, he said, acknowledging that the media had made him ”who I am today” through its coverage and respect of the views put on the table.
Let them go in peace
Meanwhile, ANC president Jaco Zuma told a rally that the dissidents who had celebrated their divorce from the party were at the same time celebrating a new marriage to the opposition Democratic Alliance.
Addressing thousands of ANC election volunteers in Galeshewe in the Northern Cape on Thursday, Zuma asked the crowd if they were prepared to defect to the Democratic Alliance, which was roundly refused.
Zuma was visiting Kimberley as part of an ANC election campaign in the Northern Cape for the 2009 elections.
On Wednesday, Zuma visited the Upington area.
The ANC president said those who were leaving the party should know that they would remain a tiny minority.
”Their plan is that people would resign in phases, ministers, councillors, mayors, premiers — even if they do that they would stay a tiny minority.”
Zuma told the crowed that he was ready ”to be led” by the ANC.
”I’m ready to be led. If the ANC said you come back, I would be glad [and] I would never be angry.”
Zuma said those leaving the ANC on their popularity they had in the organisation should think twice.
”They think they can take that popularity to other organisations. Do not think when you drive on the wave of the ANC that it is your own wave.”
Zuma said the masses had respected and supported many ANC leaders because of the movement. He urged party members to leave those departing the ANC alone.
”Please let them go in peace. Maybe we would have fewer problems,” Zuma said. – Sapa