The African National Congress (ANC) is ”more than capable” of speaking for itself on its state of organisation and other matters affecting it, the party said on Sunday.
”No other organisation, no matter how well-intentioned, should take upon itself the responsibility of speaking on the ANC’s behalf,” wrote party spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama in a statement.
His remarks follow a call by the South African Communist Party (SACP) on Sunday for a ”major transformation and renewal” of the ANC.
”The ANC, by its own admission, is confronting serious challenges of factionalism, careerism, ill-discipline, and corruption. This is a matter of deep concern for the SACP and for the entire [tripartite] alliance,” wrote SACP spokesperson Malesela Maleka following the party’s central committee meeting over the weekend.
Ngonyama countered that the ANC had confidence in the ability of its members to identify the challenges facing the organisation, and implement the programmes necessary to build and strengthen the movement.
”We trust that, as it prepares for its national congress, the SACP will undertake a similar process of introspection, better to build the SACP as the vanguard party of the working class,” wrote Ngonyama.
According to Maleka, while ANC-led electoral outcomes had ”generally seen progress” and the consolidation of a firm base, these could not be taken for granted.
”It is imperative that we build an alliance that is based on unity in action, and not just during electoral periods,” said Maleka.
”…[A]lready there are warning signs of alienation and disenchantment in localities which should in principle be firmly committed to the ANC and its alliance.” – Sapa