ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe says there is no “succession” leader picked within the party.
|||As the ANC gears up for its elective conference in Mangaung at the end of the year, secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has called on branches to save the country from corruption and for them to open debate on the leadership issue.
Speaking at the party’s centenary celebrations at Gamalakhe outside Port Shepstone on Sunday, he warned that there was no “succession” in the ANC because that would mean there was an heir to the throne, and “there is no such thing in the ANC”.
It was, therefore, time to “liberate” the branches, which “must” have the right to elect and change leadership. Mantashe told the crowd – which included suspended police commissioner Bheki Cele – that Mangaung would be the 53rd conference of the party, which had elected 12 presidents and 15 secretaries-general in its history. He said leaders should not be chosen in “small, smoke-filled rooms” or by lists that were promoted by a “small group of people who are… monied”.
“Branches must save this country from corruption,” said Mantashe.
There should not be a situation of cash for votes or an attitude that “because I will deliver my region I will get a huge amount of money”. “That is blood money,” said Mantashe.
Both he and ANC provincial chairman Zweli Mkhize cracked the whip, speaking out against ill-discipline, opportunism and appealing for respect to be shown towards party leaders. While neither mentioned names, it was clear that they were referring to suspended youth league president Julius Malema.
Mantashe urged members not to use ill-discipline to settle political scores. He also warned that there was a difference between ill-discipline and political disagreement.
To loud cheers, Mantashe said ill-discipline would lead to anarchy, and “with anarchy there will be no party”. He also urged members not to produce insults or statements that were defamatory towards ANC leaders.
Earlier, Mkhize had referred to the use of defamatory songs, saying they should give “dignity to the party” and should not “ridicule” or insult leaders.
Mkhize said the celebrations were about honouring those who had died in the struggle for freedom, while also creating a vision for the next 100 years.
The ANC’s centenary celebrations started in Mangaung last week and will be held around the country. - The Mercury