There is a saying that a week is a long time in politics. This observation came to mind as I was reading a not so surprising story in the Daily Dispatch of 18 January 2011, about the Chairperson of the Eastern Cape ANCYL, Ayanda Matiti, calling for the suspension of the earlier decision taken by the League to campaign for the dissolution of the ANC's Provincial Executive Committee. The report quotes Matiti defending the unity of the ANC, particularly as we head for the all important local government elections.
But the more significant claim in this report was that Matiti has now shifted sides and is no longer supporting Julius Malema in his bid to secure a second term as ANCYL president. Matiti apparently is aiming for election as ANCYL Secretary General at the League's conference scheduled for June this year (I wonder if the conference will take place at all? Mbalula showed us in 2006 that it can be postponed if there is a crucial ANC Conference coming, and 2012 promises that).
Whatever the reason for Matiti to now reconsider his political positions in this regard are neither here nor there. What should rather be appreciated is that at least we have comrades like Matiti who understand the dynamism and the evolving nature of matter. They are able to evolve as political dynamics change, instead of being static and uncompromising due to over inflated egos. But above all, the emphasis by Matiti that our egos and personal preferences cannot be elevated above the ANC itself is a show of character and leadership. We need a united ANC in the province today more than any other time in the history of the ANC and the country.
It is clear that any call for the dissolution of the ANC leadership in the Eastern Cape Province will not benefit any of the sides in the provincial political spectrum. Instead, we will end up with moribund structures, both within the ANC and YL, as they will be crippled by the fierce battles over such a campaign. The result will be further strain on the organization and its capacity to deliver what it promised to millions of our people in this province. The erosion of the ANC support base will then become an inevitable nightmare.
Those comrades who have since vowed to continue with this expensive campaign of dissolving the ANC PEC - seemingly as a result of their undying loyalty to His Majesty, King Julius Malema - should spare a moment and think of the monumental loses the ANC will suffer if they persist with this rather selfish expedition.
They would do well to remember what Sun Tzu teaches us in his masterpiece, The Art of War. Sun Tzu makes the point that a good leader is the one who avoids battle where there is a possibility of losing his troops and no strategic gains to be made.
The time is now that we start following the example set by comrade Ayanda Matiti and put the ANC first before our voracious appetite for power. We should understand that there is a bigger picture to South African politics that we should all make sure we do not miss irrespective of what others may care to say. That is the kind of service and political contribution the Eastern Cape Province has always provided not only to the ANC, but to the country at large. This service and political contribution is now in short supply because we are busy strangling each other over limited resources meant for Eastern Cape people who are the poorest in South Africa.
It needs no reading of das capital to understand that those who want to further their nefarious political agendas at the national level are elated over the current state of disunity in the province. The sad truth is that the Eastern Cape has become a pawn in a political chess game, instead of becoming a serious player to advance the objectives of a people's struggle for social justice.
The inner sanctum of that struggle has always had profound resonance with the people of the Eastern Cape and as a result many paid the ultimate price. We should be human enough to recognize their sacrifices through dedicated and selfless service to humanity.
In any revolutionary situation there comes a time where there are two choices left for those who dare call themselves revolutionaries, submit or fight. The choice is yours comrades. You can submit and take the easiest route which would be to destroy the ANC through dangerous campaigns like the one that seeks to dissolve the ANC PEC; or take the difficult route and fight to unite the ANC in the province and position it as an embodiment of South Africa's hopes for a better, improved quality of life and livelihoods. The people of the Eastern Cape and South Africa deserve better comrades!
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