Dear friends and fellow South Africans,
When the wolves fight, the shepherd rejoices. That much is true. But when enmity between the wolves stirs tension among the sheep, a good shepherd has reason to worry.
The divisions being exposed in the ANC may be surprising, particularly because the ruling Party has always employed enormous effort in projecting an image of unity among its ranks. Yet, as we approach the ANC's centennial, the escalating pressure to appear unified seems to be highlighting cracks and fissures.
The media tells us that the President of the ANC Youth League is enjoying diminished support, while the League's Executive Committee in KwaZulu Natal has been disbanded apparently for failing to support their President.
The media also reported this week on the State of the Organisation Report presented by ANC Secretary-General, Mr Gwede Mantashe, according to which almost three quarters of ANC branches across the country are not in good standing.
There is talk of "the re-emergence of factionalism", "mistrust", "bad-mouthing of the leadership", "lots of suspicions" and fragility.