Mantashe: The ANC has abandoned non-racialism

Gwede Mantashe today and for the second time came out in defence of Jimmy Manyi, saying in his view those who called for Manyi's head demonstrated a "hatred for change". His continued support for Manyi, as well as the support of the ruling party, constitutes further proof that the ANC has abandoned non-racialism and, in its place, endorsed the racial nationalism that defined the party under President Mbeki.

Indeed, today's press conference is a significant moment for the ANC post-Polokwane. It signifies that Mbeki has won and that his programme to re-racialise South Africa has triumphed. Instead of acting as a unifying force, the ANC under Jacob Zuma has chosen to revive Mbeki's agenda; in doing so, elevating race above circumstance and identity above freedom, opportunity and choice.

It demonstrates too that the ANC is split down the middle: Mantashe's support for Manyi is effectively a rebuke for Trevor Manuel. The ANC is splintering. Every policy decision is contested, every province is factionalised and every member identified by the camp to which they belong.

At the heart of the ruling party there is one fundamental fracture: non-racialism. Every ANC member will now have to decide: where do they stand on Jimmy Manyi?

Demographic representivity necessitates racial profiling, quotas and, at its core, a definition of who is ‘Black', ‘Coloured', ‘White' or ‘Indian'. Because if national or regional demographics determine opportunity, the state needs to be able to define what determines a person as ‘Black' or ‘Coloured', ‘Indian' or ‘White' in order to assess what they qualify for and which demographic they represent. How will the state determine this? With a pencil test?

This is apartheid thinking. Previous disadvantage, not race, should guide redress or we risk reverting to the kind of backwards, divisive thinking that has defined our history and the legacy we are trying to leave behind.

Unfortunately, the ANC only seems to have one gear and it is ‘reverse'.

Statement issued by Dr Wilmot James MP, DA Federal Chairperson, March 8 2011

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