The African National Congress still works for national unity and reconciliation, its president Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.
Addressing Umkhonto weSizwe’s 47th anniversary celebrations in Bloemfontein, Zuma said the past could not be forgotten.
”We all went through suffering. Without forgetting the past, we must move into the future together as one nation.”
Zuma said South Africans had to be united in their diversity and be ready to continue building the country together.
The ANC president urged the former combatants to help the ANC in defending the country’s hard fought democracy.
”All people in South Africa should enjoy the fruits of liberation,” he said.
He also urged the former combatants to defend the ANC from attempts to ”sow disunity and confusion” from within its ranks.
Zuma said the country’s democratic institutions should also be defended to ”ensure that they are never ever used to fight factional political battles”.
Thousands of ANC supporters, dressed in yellow and red T-shirts, attended the MK celebrations at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Rocklands, a few kilometres from where the new Congress of the People were holding their own rally at the Bloemfontein Cricket Stadium.
Zuma also acknowledged pleas by MK veterans, which he said have been ignored by the party in the past.
”On several occasions, MK members have staged sit-ins at ANC headquarters or provincial offices in order to bring their grievances to the attention of the leadership,” he said.
Although many former MK combatants had been integrated into government structures, many were struggling to make ends meet.
”Their welfare and proper social and economic integration was raised sharply at the ANC national policy conference,” Zuma said.
He added that the party’s Polokwane conference had mandated its structures to address all the issues raised by former MK combatants such as welfare and the reintegration of MK military veterans into civilian life.
At the event, Zuma posthumously bestowed the Isithwalandwe/Seaparankoe Award — the highest award the ANC makes to an individual — on slain SACP leader Chris Hani. It was received by Hani’s wife Limpho.
Earlier, Zuma laid a wreath at Heroes Acre, at the Phahameng cemetery, where, among others, ANC founding member Thomas Mapikela is buried.
After addressing the crowd at the Seisa Ramabodu stadium, Zuma danced with some of the many performers on stage.
He was joined by ANC Youth League president Julius Malema for the singing of what has become his trademark song Awulethu Umshini Wam — but which has been traditionally sung by former MK soldiers in military camps.
The national MK birthday celebrations soon became a political rally for the leading party.
”Vote for ANC,” a poet shouted from the podium. ”When you vote for ANC, think of those who have died,” he said.
Other prominent ANC leaders at the celebrations were ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe and national executive committee member and head of ANC policy Jeff Radebe.
Also seen at the event was Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and businessman Tokyo Sexwale.
Cope agrees with ANC on economy
Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota said on Tuesday the new party backed the government’s broad economic policy, but rejected suggestions that it was a watered-down version of the ruling party.
”We have been part of the government till recently and especially regarding the management of our economy, we will give our full support to many measures,” Lekota told reporters shortly after he was named the breakaway party’s president on Tuesday morning.
”We will not change the things that have patently benefited the country.”
Lekota vowed Cope would distinguish itself from the ANC by respecting the Constitution and the courts.
”Nobody can say we are a rehash of the ANC,” he said in response to questions from the foreign press.
”The ANC is not committed to equality before the law. That is ground for difference. Oliver Tambo spent 30 years in exile, Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in jail only on that principle because there was no equality
before the law under apartheid.
”Today, when the ANC is moving in that direction, how can it be the same? We are miles apart.”
Without naming Zuma, Lekota said it would be unacceptable in any democratic country to have a leader who was facing criminal charges.
”Our country needs values, morality.”
Lekota also called on members of Parliament to vote against the dismissal of National Prosecuting Authority chief Vusi Pikoli.
Cope has claimed it has the support of a number of ANC parliamentarians. The party has now called on these MPs to vote against the dismissal of Pikoli, which must be approved by parliamentarians before it can take effect.
Parliament is due to deliberate on this issue in January. – Sapa