Anonymity must be high up there on the list with factionalism, slates and patronage as its bed-buddies. It does the movement no good when “high placed–sources”, “insiders” or even “members” do not want to be identified yet want their remarks or comments to be published and taken seriously. How does one take seriously a concern or allegation made by ‘anonymous’?
If one takes oneself seriously, one’s thoughts seriously and one’s principles seriously you will not be afraid to put your name to it. Whatever happened to the maxim: stand up and be counted?
I must confess, personally, I think this is what gossip is made of. It never becomes ‘official’, it stays in the dark secret rooms of anonymity where rumours, cloaks and daggers are festered. There is a grey area where the one who made the comment or took the stand can retract or deny making it. Hence there is no surety and one cannot challenge them. In fact, those who remain anonymous don’t like to be challenged. Hiding is way much easier.
This is what came to mind as I read the newspaper article today about the new developments in the question of the ANC Western Cape leadership. I have studied the document “Unity in Diversity” which is refreshing in some aspects but also stale in others.
Stale because the fundamental challenge facing the ANC is that we are engrossed with leadership questions. The document makes no mention of policy and makes no effort to propose new policy directions. Have we ever had a discussion document on policy matters? It uses, for example, the national question once again to settle leadership scores when what is actually needed is a thorough engagement with the national question, in which questions of leadership and elections are but two aspects of a more deeper and fundamental issue.
The premise of the document is 2016 and not necessarily building a strong and vibrant ANC despite 2016. We need a strong ANC not a strong elections campaign. An elections campaign is a means to an ends: a strong organisation. Nothing in the document on building capacity, on better communications, on changing perceptions, on the correct utilization of resources, in fact the entire premise for building a ‘vibrant’ ANC, this nameless document contends, is to propose that we (re)look at leadership. Stale!
I suspect a bit of misunderstanding of Path to People’s Power as well; as one who had no hand in drafting it but who has studied it numerous times, the aim of the strategy was not 2014 NPE’s. For example, the document explicitly indicates how the ANC can have power without even having the tools of the state, at provincial and local level, at hand. Surely a worthwhile topic for a discussion paper: a critique of Path to People’s Power, 3 years on?
Instead the authors stick with: leadership. And it’s more about ego, access to resources than actual leadership. The authors, whoever they are, have been here before and have done what they are doing now before. So it literally is a case of: been there, done that. What are ‘they’ proposing different this time? Are they proposing that they will not be a slate? They will not use patronage? That they will ‘unite’ and work with the current leadership? Gosh I hate ‘they’.
The often quoted definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect a different outcome. Need I say more? More anonymity, more leadership discussions.
The ANC is currently pursuing the Imvuselelo Campaign launched by the President on 20 July 2014. It is a pity that the document makes no mention of this important campaign in order to build a strong and vibrant ANC. One would have assumed that ‘they’ would take this into account.
What is refreshing about the document is that it does deal with issues of factions, slates and patronage. Whether intentionally or not, it links these three and poses the question whether the ANC in the Western Cape can continue on the same road or whether something else is required.
However, because the document is anonymous and because those speaking to the media remain anonymous one is not sure how seriously to take these proposals. Maybe the aim was simply to make headlines? Portray the ANC as divided?
No doubt, the issue of leadership needs to be looked at. But as I have said before and I will continue to contend, the ANC, in the Western Cape, needs people with guts. It needs people who can take decisions without worrying about covering their balls, backs and worrying about their political/economic futures. Selfless sacrifice. Ring-a-bell?
The ANC needs people who can challenge leaders and leaders who are willing to listen. The ANC needs people who have the balls to get rid of dead-wood and bring in people who have the capacity, capability and professionalism to run the organisation. If an employee doesn’t perform and runs his area of work into a shambles he/she must go. The ANC in the Western Cape needs capable cadres; professionals who have a history in the ANC.
My definition of a leader: one who has balls and is prepared to have them kicked. Put your name to your comments, your document and grow some balls. Whoever said politics was for the faint hearted?
If the authors want to get stuck on leadership then this, in my opinion, is what the ANC requires. I put my name to it and I am exposing my balls to be kicked. I just wish we had more political leaders who could do the same.
P.S. I know some female political leaders who have more balls than their men counterparts so forgive my using this metaphor.
Very well said Wesley! Totally with you on these aspects!
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