Hidden agenda? ANC talks with Afrikaans speakers

The ANC talks today with members of the Afrikaans civil society has more to do with the ANC's forthcoming election conference and the political survival of Mr. Gwede Mantashe, than it has to do with a real concern for minority groups' and Afrikaans people's interests.

Before the previous ANC conference in Polokwane (Pietersburg) there was also a serious attempt to reach out to Afrikaners. The question can rightfully be asked why this sudden interest from the side of the ANC? While Malema and other ANC leaders continued to alienate Afrikaners and Afrikaans speakers in the past three years through their comments, there was no attempt from the side of ANC leaders to reach out through talks.

The FF Plus has always been in favour of talks and the constructive search for mutual solutions for South Africa's problems. The party's history of talks with the ANC proves this. In the past the FF Plus held several successful talks with the ANC. Talks with hidden agendas however bedevil relationships, breaks trust between groups and result in nothing. The FF Plus also has experience of such talks.

If the talks today are to address this alienation by giving serious attention to the problems of Afrikaans speakers, it is positive and the FF Plus gladly supports it. If the objective with the talks is to go gain the political support of minorities for the ANC and to boost individual candidates' images with a view to the ANC's election conference, it is doomed to fail. With hindsight, it is the last mentioned type of talks which had been image-building and media exercises every time.

Statement issued by Dr. Pieter Mulder, FF Plus Leader, May 8 2012

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