Walter Sisulu’s grandson breaks ranks and condemns Nene’s axing

In a surprise statement on Twitter on Thursday afternoon, well-known activist Shaka Sisulu condemned the axing of Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene. 

Sisulu is a loyal ANC member and was appointed to the ANC Youth League task team in 2013 after the organisation’s structures were disbanded. His grandfather was ANC stalwart and icon Walter Sisulu and his father is previous National Assembly speaker Max Sisulu. His mother is activist and writer Elinor Sisulu. 

Like many other high-profile ANC members, Sisulu was careful how he worded his Twitter posts after the announcement was made on Wednesday night, expressing his concern through humour and with restraint. But on Thursday afternoon he sent out a clear statement over a series of eight tweets, deploring the “neutered” ANC’s response and loss of power. 

I’m going be an ass and break ranks with most of my comrades’ public utterances.

I don’t agree with last night’s sudden cabinet reshuffle.

— Shaka Sisulu (@ShakaSisulu) December 10, 2015

I’m not sure what preempted it. There is a cacophony of loud assumptions. And that’s the problem with Executive’s vague statement last night

— Shaka Sisulu (@ShakaSisulu) December 10, 2015

What I found most disturbing was my org’s statement. It spoke volumes & said nothing. It didn’t welcome it. But didn’t question it either

— Shaka Sisulu (@ShakaSisulu) December 10, 2015

My ANC sounded neutered. As if the Executive is not compelled to account to it. Even though the party deployed the Executive

— Shaka Sisulu (@ShakaSisulu) December 10, 2015

I agree that the Executive is not required to take us into its confidence. But it is required to retain the confidence of the citizenry

— Shaka Sisulu (@ShakaSisulu) December 10, 2015

Out of the myriad of things that have been communicated in the past 24 hours, the most distressing is that the ANC is no longer in control

— Shaka Sisulu (@ShakaSisulu) December 10, 2015

Comrades of the movement are going to have to wipe the facade of their faces and reassert the centrality of the movement in decision making

— Shaka Sisulu (@ShakaSisulu) December 10, 2015

Or go buy a good suit. And start writing a nice eulogy. To go bury a once proud history. In their lifetime

— Shaka Sisulu (@ShakaSisulu) December 10, 2015