A ”facade” of unity in the tripartite alliance based solely upon the need to look united to the world is not sufficient, African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe said on Thursday.
Addressing the central committee meeting of the National Union of Mineworkers, the largest affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), in Pretoria Motlanthe pleaded unity in the alliance that includes the ANC, Cosatu and the South African Communist Party
”No less than at any other point in our history, South Africa today needs the alliance to lead the struggle for a new and fundamentally better society,” he said.
Unity can only be achieved if there is ”frank and intensive” discussion on the issues faced by the movement.
”We should not allow the development of a situation where exchanges through the media become a substitute for real, robust debate within and among the alliance partners,” Motlanthe said.
It is important for the ANC to remain ”united, cohesive and effective”, Motlanthe said.
While it is good for alliance partners to hold different views on certain issues, Motlanthe said there is a continual need to find ”common positions”.
He said there is a need for respect between the alliance partners. — Sapa