ANC must renew founding values

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I'M at last glad Nceba Faku has made an admission that the ANC's values and its standing in society need to be restored ("Restore ANC image in election choices", October 16). I also concur on the issue of election choices.

The weakness of the analysis of other commentators and some detractors is the failure to acknowledge that leadership preference must not be the key factor going to Mangaung, but ultimately an agenda to renew the ANC's values, determined after an assessment by branches themselves, instead of leaders making pronouncements publicly. The ANC, its allies and the mass democratic movement forces have for years been pointing out the current weaknesses and have taken bold resolutions on what is to be done.

Yet our track record in doing anything about the identified weaknesses leaves much to be desired.

I agree with Faku that the ANC must always provide leadership in society, but we must admit that the ANC's hegemony and cohesion as a leader of society begins with us. The organisation should demonstrate that leadership internally and translate it to the broader society.

When the ANC Youth League in the Bay publicly ridiculed the leadership of Zanoxolo Wayile and the political leadership of the Nelson Mandela Bay council comprising the deputy mayor, speaker and chief whip, the ANC leadership led by Faku never condemned its thuggish behaviour. He failed to defend the ANC deployees.

Faku himself publicly two months ago said, "We will get that mayor" ( referring to Wayile).

Secondly is it not time that the movement considers the cost that the election of tainted individuals into positions of responsibility and leadership in the movement does to its standing among the masses and devise means to curb it? The danger in allowing the status quo to prevail is that it gives rise to a dangerous situation in which the movement stands opposed to the majority of our people, who are most affected by corruption. On that point I fully agree with Faku.

The limitations of the consolidated report on organisational renewal is that it almost buries its head in the sand when it comes to the erosion of ANC values because of undue influence of business in our movement's structures. It does not adequately address the extent to which business interests, and their weight and influence organisationally and in the state have compromised ANC values.

I agree that youth must take centre stage in the ANC politics. In South Africa we find a youth culture (predominantly within the ANC Youth League) that is not focusing on education, innovation and being the best in their respective fields but rather aspiring to get rich overnight through state tender processes or using political connections to clinch BEE deals.

We need to make sure we develop within our movement and country a new generation of future leaders who are well balanced, well educated and able to make a serious contribution to the development of society.

The ANC needs to be consistent and strong on corruption, and introduce a new policy to save the image of the organisation when leaders are accused of serious crimes and corruption.