ANC KZN Provincial Secretary Bheki Mtolo apologizing unreservedly to NEHAWU

2 September 2024

Today, I attended a historic meeting that has undoubtedly strengthened the alliance and ensured that we emerge stronger and united.

I wish to pay tribute to the Secretary General of the African National Congress, Cde Fikile Mbalula, General Secretary of Congress of the South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Cde Solly Phetoe, President and General Secretary of the National Union of Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU), Cde Mike Shingange, Cde Zola Saphetha and NEHAWU office bearers for their bold leadership and display of unity.

The meeting served as a reminder that the alliance was established solely to advance the National Democratic Revolution and as a trusted shield of the working class.

During our frank exchange of ideas and debates. I remembered that over the years the alliance stood firmly behind the programme of the ANC-led government, and that workers paid ultimate price during the dark days of apartheid in defense of the revolution and the African National Congress.

The alliance partners have continued to offer advice, guidance, debate, and challenge different aspects as a contribution to strengthen the alliance and improving service delivery to the masses who matters the most.

Today's meeting was no different.

In particular, the meeting was convened to normalize relations between the ANC in KZN and NEHAWU.

This follows public spats involving the Provincial Secretary of the ANC in KZN ( myself) and NEHAWU.

These started as a result of a public statement I made in Kokstad during a public event for senior citizens responding to the criticism directed at the African National Congress due to its participation in the GNU. Though such statements were made at the NEHAWU Political School, were not necessarily made by NEHAWU.

After a thorough political discussion and wise counsel from the ANC Secretary General and General Secretary of COSATU, I wish to unconditionally apologize to NEHAWU, its leadership and entire membership. I wish to unreservedly withdraw these statements which created an environment of mistrust and unnecessary provocative.

The spirit of today's meeting gave me a distinct impression that this matter, which has created so much excitement, especially for those that wished for the alliance to die, will now belong to the dustbin of history. The most important lesson learned is that mistakes committed in the course of struggle for social transformation should be internalized and never be repeated.

In the ANC-led alliance, there are millions of members, and it is natural to anticipate that there will be many different views on any matter, but as the ANC Secretary General advised in the meeting, ANC leaders must never be hostile to constructive criticism.

Each member is important precisely for the unique contribution they bring to the debate and life of the alliance and individual organizations in the alliance. Matters are discussed thoroughly to allow for the best point of view and the most logical position to emerge as espoused by the majority of participants in that platform or structure. This is what prevailed today.

In conclusion, I wish to affirm my commitment to work for the unity of the alliance and to further the objectives of the National Democratic Revolution.

Aluta Continua Victory is Certain.

Issued by Bheki Mtolo, ANC Provincial Secretary, ANC KZN, 3 September 2024

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ANC media statement on NEHAWU tensions in KZN

This morning we convened a meeting to address the challenges that have polarized relations between the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU) and to put the matter to bed. These challenges arose as a result of remarks attributed to the Provincial Secretary, Cde Mtolo directed at NEHAWU.

The meeting was graced by the General Secretary of COSATU, Cde Solly Phetoe, the President of NEHAWU, Cde Mike Shingange, supported by a number of NEHAWU office bearers and the ANC Provincial Secretary, Cde Mtolo.

The meeting was cordial, robust and honest in the articulation of the impact of Cde Mtolo's remarks on members of NEHAWU. In our robust engagements on matters of mutual interest, we agreed that members of the Alliance and by extension their affiliates, are independent organisation that are well within their rights in expressing dissenting views on the policy positions and decisions of the ANC.

However, the Alliance partners have always differed on a variety of issues and we have always managed to engage on issues by ensuring that the space for political engagements remains open. There is no reason that we cannot address the current challenges in a similar manner.

The meeting appreciated that Cde Mtolo's remarks were unfortunate and the platform chosen to air such views fuelled the tensions, rather than a constructive political engagement between members of the Alliance.

We therefore resolved that Cde Mtolo will issue an unconditional apology to NEHAWU and retract the unfortunate remarks he made in writing.

Similarly, NEHAWU will withdraw the court challenge against the ANC and the Provincial Secretary in this regard.

Going forward, we have agreed to conduct a joint programme in KwaZulu-Natal with COSATU and NEHAWU to engage with the workers on the ground and clear the air on matters that have polarised relations as a result.

Issued by Zuko Godlimpi, Acting National Spokesperson, ANC, 3 September 2024