"We, the people of South Africa, Recognise the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.” Preamble to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Watch out for DA and walk the talk, warns Vavi

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has sounded alarm bells at the factionANC, saying it could lose electoral support to the DA.

At the heart of the ANC’s problems was the party’s tardiness in tackling factions and implementing resolutions, he said. “The problem is that when we are in public platforms, we speak against factionalism but as soon as we leave those platforms, we do exactly what we have been saying must not be done … we sing songs praising individuals,” said Vavi.

Addressing a Cosatu provincial conference in Pietermaritzburg that is part of preparations for the labour federation’s national congress in September, Vavi said if the problems continued, the DA would have a field day in the 2014 elections.

“The enemy [DA] is at the door. Don’t underestimate them and their campaign, but be vigilant because they can see that workers’ needs are not taken care of. “When workers get desperate, they forget about ideologies. They forget about politics and think about their stomachs. Stomachs know no politics, they will vote for the DA.”
The DA was the only growing party, Vavi said. “We are busy fighting amongst ourselves. We know it won’t stop in Mangaung as some will start planning for the next conference even before they pack their bags to leave Mangaung,” he said. “Our problem is not that we haven’t identified these problems, it’s a refusal to do what we know is correct and desist from doing what we know will not build unity and take our organisation forward.”

Vavi said there was a lack of political will within the ANC and its allies to do the right things. “The ANC, its allies and the rest of the democratic forces have for many years been pointing out the current weaknesses and have taken bold resolutions on what is to be done. Yet our track record in doing anything about the identified weaknesses leaves much to be desired. “We lack political will to implement our own decisions, in particular when those decisions are against powerful interests.”

He said killing for positions had taken over the ANC. The gunning down of ANC chief whip Wandile Mkhize in the Hibiscus Coast local municipality last week in KZN was an example.

From Daily Dispatch. 03.07.12

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