
(Outtake from the) Hani Memorandum Point 2: “We have been forced to draw the conclusion that the payment of salaries to people working in offices is very detrimental to the revolutionary outlook is of those who receive such monies. It is without doubt that such payments corrupt cadres at any level and have the effect of making people perform their duties or fill offices because of money inducement rather than dedication to the cause – they become in effect merely salaried employees of the movement. It is high time that all members and cadres of the ANC, be they in M.K. or not, should receive equal treatment and be judged only on the basis of their dedication and sacrifice to the cause we serve. The principle of thorough selection of cadres should be on the basis of merit and such selection should never be delegated to an individual – this will prevent individuals owing allegiance to those who appoint them rather than to the Revolution” (MacMillian – ‘Debate: the Hani Memorandum’).
Cyril Ramaphosa has been the loyal subject and the appointed Deputy President under the Presidency of Jacob Zuma. He has defended the President countless times, even as he been named in recent months as the part of African National Congress that is “Anti-Zuma Faction”. So the knowledge of his disappearing loyalty has been known since March 2016, still he has not been moved in the midst of changes of cabinet. That is because President Jacob Zuma does not want to challenge to many of the fractions inside the Party. Only the ones needed to please the donors and the ones keeping his village afloat.
So that Deputy President Ramaphosa who hasn’t been stirring the pot or even tried to challenge the President, is clearly now going out of the gates, blazing like he is Mmusi Maimane. Like he is in opposition, as he clearly stated in the memorial speech to Chris Hani today:
“Despite the good work that continues to be done by cadres and deployees in all spheres, the ANC’s programme in government and in communities lacks sufficient coherence and focus. The allegations that there are private individuals who exercise undue influence over state appointments and procurement decisions should be a matter of grave concern to the movement. These practices threaten the integrity of the state, undermine our economic progress and diminish our ability to change the lives of the poor. These activities, if left unchecked, could destroy the revolution. It is therefore critical that the allegations of ‘state capture’ are put to rest, that wrongdoing is exposed and that illicit practices are brought to an end” (News24, 2017).
That DP Ramaphosa are attacking the ANC, the party he is in the midst of and have left unchecked. The ANC have let the Zuma and his cronies do as they please, therefore, the admiration for justice now seems like a way of forging his own way. Since he has let the ‘Capture of State’ happen and the Constitutional Court judgement fail on his watch. As well, as the evident stopping of the ‘No Confidence’ votes in Parliament. So it is not like his words fits his actions. That he wants to now see the illicit practices to an end, seems more like political ploy, together with the knowledge of what sort of rhetoric was used to change Financial Ministers.
That he as a Deputy President been a crony is well-known, that he has supported and made sure that the powers of Jacob Zuma has gone unchecked is clear. Since he has had no issues with the scandals of Nkandla, Eskom and others. The list is so long when it comes to President Zuma, that the books combining the and digging in to it, would be small library to have enough space for it. Therefore, even if his words is powerful today, I have hard time believing it as sincere. Even if these words are stark.
“There is a strong sense among many of our people that the ANC no longer represents their hope for a better life. Many believe that the ANC is no longer a trusted repository of the aspirations of our people for freedom, dignity, peace and justice. Recent political developments have thrown into sharp relief the divisions within our movement and brought to the fore broader grievances about the direction of the country” (News24, 2017).
That he said this and that the people doesn’t trust the ANC is because of the acts of men like Cyril Ramaphosa, whose loyalty to Zuma has for long been more important than the constitution or the National Assembly. Where the ANC has ruled with iron fist for the better life of Zuma cronies and not for the citizens. Therefore, the trust has dwindled, the process of electoral fatigue isn’t the reason, but the misuse of power. That’s been rubber-stamped by the National Assembly Baleka Mbete and the rest of the loyal cadres in the ANC.
So if the ANC should decide on an official succession to Jacob Zuma, it should be someone who is credible and outside the parameter of Zuma’s reach. If it is someone in the current leadership who has been sponsored or been involved in the corrupt behavior of Zuma. So, if the ANC in the next conference and next challenge for the throne. Peace.
Reference:
MacMillian, Hugh – ‘The ‘Hani Memorandum’ – introduced and annotated’ link: http://www.sahistory.org.za/sites/default/files/hani_memorandum.pdf
News24 – ‘Full speech by Cyril Ramaphosa at Chris Hani memorial lecture’ (23.04.2017) link: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/full-speech-by-cyril-ramaphosa-at-chris-hani-memorial-lecture-20170423















