African National Congress (ANC) president Thabo Mbeki on Wednesday criticised individuals within the party who campaign for leadership positions within the movement.
Mbeki told the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) conference in Bloemfontein that ”this is a matter that worries me and the leaders of the ANC movement, because throughout the movement there is a sickness of people wanting to be leaders”.
He asked to thundering applause on the last day of Sanco’s fourth national congress: ”Why do they not wait for the people to tell them to come and lead us?”
Earlier in the month, at the Eastern Cape ANC’s three-yearly conference in Alice, Mbeki warned against people using the ANC as a stepladder to reach positions of power, instead of serving the people of South Africa.
He said at the Eastern Cape conference that it had become very fashionable to be a member of the party ”and even more fashionable to be a leader of the ANC”.
No one should join in order to become a leader, premier or president, he said.
”But it’s happened, it’s happening among ourselves, and the result is division.”
It also leads to corruption in the organisation, with people paying others to join in order to boost their own support. He said the ANC must make sure its branches and members are exemplary.
”We join the ANC to serve the people of South Africa, and that is all,” he said.
Tension
It was reported that the Sanco conference has been taking place amid tension among delegates.
Police on Tuesday investigated allegations of assault after seven people were apparently injured due to fighting among delegates.
No charges were laid because those being assaulted could not identify the perpetrators.
Referring to the position of Sanco president — to be elected on Wednesday afternoon — Mbeki said any presidential candidate that would cause a division within the organisation (Sanco) would be a wrong choice.
”That president would be worthless,” said Mbeki.
Discussing local government, Mbeki said that over the past year the government had given much attention to the local-government sphere.
”It’s the most important sphere of government,” said Mbeki, adding that it is the sphere where delivery must take place.
He also urged and challenged Sanco structures in communities to play a more active role to ensure that service delivery occurs.
Mbeki said Sanco is one of the ANC’s most critical and strategic allies at local government level.
”Sanco must be the instrument of people on the ground.” — Sapa