In a thought-provoking letter addressed to the ANC leadership, Siphiwe Nyanda, esteemed former chairman of the uMkhonto weSizwe Council (MK Council) and member of both the ANC Veterans League and MK Liberation War Veterans, has issued a heartfelt plea urging the party to steer clear of any alliances with the recently emerged MK Party (MKP), led by former president Jacob Zuma. Nyanda passionately argues that such a coalition would, in essence, be extending an invitation to their nemesis, allowing him to complete his mission of destruction within the African National Congress (ANC).
Nyanda's letter, a response to an article by former ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe, delves into the ANC's approach to forming coalitions following a significant decline in the party's electoral performance. Motlanthe had cautioned against aligning with the MKP, and Nyanda echoes this sentiment, shedding light on the grave consequences of such an association.
Reflecting on the ANC's recent loss of a parliamentary majority for the first time in three decades, Nyanda places the blame squarely on Zuma's shoulders. Not only does he highlight Zuma's role in forming the MKP, but he also emphasizes the former president's failures during his nine-year tenure. Nyanda argues that Zuma's party managed to secure the position of the third-largest party in the country within a mere six months, despite its lack of clearly defined policies or plans.
The MKP's remarkable performance has been particularly evident in traditional ANC strongholds like KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, where voter support for the ruling party experienced significant declines. In Zuma's home province, the MKP even garnered over 45% of the votes, demonstrating its growing popularity.
Nyanda's letter is as poignant as it is critical, shedding light on the controversial period of Zuma's presidency characterized by state capture allegations. He recalls the tumultuous event when Nhlanhla Nene was abruptly dismissed as the finance minister, causing the country's economy to plummet until the decision was swiftly reversed. Nyanda also emphasizes the ANC's failure to address the negative impact of Zuma's actions on the party's electoral support and South Africa as a whole.
Within the letter, Nyanda confronts the ANC's leadership for defending Zuma, even in the face of mounting evidence against him. He highlights the role played by the MK Military Veterans Association (MKMVA), led by the late Kebby Maphatsoe, which Nyanda claims acted as a personal defense force for Zuma, alienating many within the ANC. This internal division weakened the party and ultimately led to the Constitutional Court ruling that found Zuma in violation of his oath of office—a ruling that the ANC leadership chose to ignore.
Nyanda's letter not only expresses his personal anguish as a member of the ANC, but it also serves as a call to action. He urges the party not to repeat past mistakes and vehemently rejects any attempts to reintegrate Zuma and his allies into the ANC. Nyanda contends that Zuma, aided by his henchman Ace Magashule, nearly destroyed the ANC from within, and when their attempts to disrupt the party failed, they formed their own parties, continuing their mission to destabilize the ANC.
The veteran politician issues a stern warning, cautioning that certain individuals within the party are still loyal to Zuma. He asserts that the push to form a coalition with the MKP is akin to the ANC tying its own noose. Nyanda passionately argues that the ANC must embrace renewal, hold a National Consultative Conference, and realign with the core values of leaders like Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela. He emphasizes the importance of listening to the will of the people, as expressed in the recent elections. The ANC must never take their support for granted again.
As Nyanda's letter concludes, it serves as a powerful reminder that the ANC stands at a critical crossroads. The party must now make the difficult choice between forging alliances that could compromise its integrity or embracing a path of renewal that upholds the values and aspirations of the South African people. The decision they make will undoubtedly shape the future of one of Africa's most prominent political movements.
In this pivotal moment, as the ANC grapples with internal divisions and the repercussions of past mistakes, the words of Siphiwe Nyanda reverberate throughout the party's corridors.
