DURBAN - FORMER president Jacob Zuma yesterday told ANC eThekwini councillors of the importance of the ruling party remaining in power as it is the one tool in the hands of the black majority that can be used to liberate them.
Less than 100 ANC councillors pitched up for the much-anticipated visit to Nkandla yesterday organised by political office bearers from eThekwini Municipality.
An ANC councillor, who was part of the visit, gave a snapshot of the contents of Zuma’s advice to members at his house.
“Baba said the ANC should be strengthened at all levels so that in future we do not rely on smaller parties to form a coalition government,” said the member.
He added that Zuma had warned them about the dangers of interim ANC structures in all regions across the province, saying this had given the provincial leadership the power to do as it pleased.
Earlier in the week, organisers had indicated that there would be councillors and members from other provinces including Gauteng, Free State and Limpopo, but there was no sign of their presence. The only other ANC councillors that made the trip were from the uMhlathuze and Nkandla municipalities.
In addition, heavyweights such as Zandile Gumede, Mxolisi Kaunda and suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule who were expected, also failed to make an appearance. According to insiders who spoke to The Mercury, the low turnout was a demonstration of the waning power of the pro-Zuma grouping in KwaZulu-Natal.
However, those in attendance dismissed suggestions of a diminishing power base for Zuma and his supporters, citing a string of reasons behind the poor showing, including veiled intimidation from the provincial leadership.
“When the province denied any knowledge of the event it was a sign that they were against it. We know what would happen next if comrades get suspended, and that is why some decided not to come,” said the ANC member from the eThekwini region, who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation.
He said those who had attended had done so because they were brave.
“We are amadelakufa (diehard supporters) and we will not be intimidated by this useless leadership,” he said.
The ANC member said they were looking at removing the entire provincial leadership, especially the top five structure as all the officials had demonstrated an inability to lead the province.
“The only reason that eThekwini was secured by the ANC was because our president (Zuma) intervened, otherwise it would be gone,” the ANC member stressed.
Yesterday’s visit, which was scheduled for around noon, ended up being a late afternoon affair as the convoy of cars which had assembled at Mvoti Plaza on the N2 only arrived at Zuma’s home after 2pm.
Organisers of the visit and eThekwini councillor Ntando Khuzwayo apologised to the people that had gathered outside Zuma’s home, over the late arrival, citing problems with the trailer which had to carry a bull that was to be gifted to the former president. He said they had to change the trailer because the initial one could not cope with the bull’s weight.
Khuzwayo told the group that there was nothing wrong with visiting Zuma.
“People go to the graves of former leaders such as Inkosi Albert Luthuli and Pixley ka Isaka Seme and yet when we visit Zuma people make all sorts of insinuations. We are here to honour a legend while he is still alive. We know what he has done for the ANC,” said Khuzwayo. He also dismissed suggestions that councillors at the event were from one faction, insisting that both factions from eThekwini were represented.
Speaking to The Mercury at the conclusion of the visit, Khuzwayo expressed satisfaction at the day’s developments, saying they had accomplished their mission. He confirmed that Zuma had urged them to make the ANC strong so that it returns to its former glory.
One of the ANC members who was part of the group praised Zuma for “the work he had done for the country”. “This is a president who has rolled out a massive HIV programme providing ARVs to our people.”
An anti-Ramaphosa sentiment permeated throughout the day from those gathered in Nkandla, with many blaming him for many of the things that had gone wrong, including the ruling party’s poor showing at the local government elections. They vowed to remove him from power at the elective conference next year.
THE MERCURY