23 Years After: ANC Divides, Mandela's Followers Against Zuma
April 27 2017 By Abiodun Giwa
Late Nelson Mandela with Zeida La Grange (Courtesy:News24)
South Africans celebrated the 23 years of freedom on Thursday, with two different groups, one in Pretoria and the other in Manguzi at Kwazulu Natal.
The gathering in Pretoria was in somber mood, taking stock of the gains and loses of democracy after the sacking of apartheid.
The group in Manguzi, under the auspices of the ANC, and led by President Jacob Zuma, challenged the somber mood of the Pretoria group.
"While others are throwing insults at Pretoria, we are celebrating," Zuma declared in a speech at Manguzi, noting that he heard from reports in the media that there were people not celebrating.
On the other hand, the Manguzi celebrants, which included a former assistant to Nelson Mandela and one of Mandela's grandchildren, took Zuma to the cleaners.
Manifestly, it becomes apparent that the forces that were united against apartheid, which resulted in freedom from apartheid 23 years ago are divided, with some in Manguizi and some in Pretoria.
Mandela's former assistant, Zelda La Grange, since Zuma had failed to implement Mandela's vision, he should step down. "We want a president that respects himself enough to step down when his people asked him to,” said La Grange.
According to News24, La Grange evoked the legacy of her former employer – one she described as being of respect, ethics and solidarity – suggesting Zuma had failed to live up to his predecessor’s example. “Mr President, listen to us: follow the plan that Madiba and his people put together in 1994.” La Grange reportedly led the crowd in a number of chants including: “Not in my name” and “claim back our power”.
The gathering in Pretoria was in somber mood, taking stock of the gains and loses of democracy after the sacking of apartheid.
The group in Manguzi, under the auspices of the ANC, and led by President Jacob Zuma, challenged the somber mood of the Pretoria group.
"While others are throwing insults at Pretoria, we are celebrating," Zuma declared in a speech at Manguzi, noting that he heard from reports in the media that there were people not celebrating.
On the other hand, the Manguzi celebrants, which included a former assistant to Nelson Mandela and one of Mandela's grandchildren, took Zuma to the cleaners.
Manifestly, it becomes apparent that the forces that were united against apartheid, which resulted in freedom from apartheid 23 years ago are divided, with some in Manguizi and some in Pretoria.
Mandela's former assistant, Zelda La Grange, since Zuma had failed to implement Mandela's vision, he should step down. "We want a president that respects himself enough to step down when his people asked him to,” said La Grange.
According to News24, La Grange evoked the legacy of her former employer – one she described as being of respect, ethics and solidarity – suggesting Zuma had failed to live up to his predecessor’s example. “Mr President, listen to us: follow the plan that Madiba and his people put together in 1994.” La Grange reportedly led the crowd in a number of chants including: “Not in my name” and “claim back our power”.
Zuma laughing at Manguzi against the opposition he liken to mentally disturbed person. (Courtesy: News24)
According to News24, La Grange evoked the legacy of her former employer – one she described as being of respect, ethics and solidarity – suggesting Zuma had failed to live up to his predecessor’s example.
“Mr President, listen to us: follow the plan that Madiba and his people put together in 1994.” La Grange reportedly led the crowd in a number of chants including: “Not in my name” and “claim back our power”.
Ndileka Mandela said the right to call their leaders to account on their stewardship and that they were calling Zuma's government to account, with a reference to 'a motion of no confidence' which had been tabled against Zuma at the parliament, and called on leaders elected from various communities, to do the right thing.
Undoubtedly, the message from Pretoria resonated with Zuma in Manguzi, and his statement about the somber gathering in Manguzi, manifesting a representation that the group that fought against apartheid that led to the freedom they celebrated on Thursday had divided - one group in Pretoria and another at Manguzi. How this division within the ANC will affect the party's fortune in the coming election is yet uncertain.
In a separate interview with the the News24, the young Mandela said that if Nelson Mandela was alive, he would have said that if the ANC did to people what the apartheid government did to them, then they mus do to the ANC, what the people did to the apartheid government. She expressed sadness that they came to defend their people when they stand on the shoulders of giants who stood for morality.
On the other hand, Ndileka said she is happy that the people are united as one in defense of democracy, despite the sorrow that is accompanying it. It is a tale of joy and sorrow from South Africa.
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“Mr President, listen to us: follow the plan that Madiba and his people put together in 1994.” La Grange reportedly led the crowd in a number of chants including: “Not in my name” and “claim back our power”.
Ndileka Mandela said the right to call their leaders to account on their stewardship and that they were calling Zuma's government to account, with a reference to 'a motion of no confidence' which had been tabled against Zuma at the parliament, and called on leaders elected from various communities, to do the right thing.
Undoubtedly, the message from Pretoria resonated with Zuma in Manguzi, and his statement about the somber gathering in Manguzi, manifesting a representation that the group that fought against apartheid that led to the freedom they celebrated on Thursday had divided - one group in Pretoria and another at Manguzi. How this division within the ANC will affect the party's fortune in the coming election is yet uncertain.
In a separate interview with the the News24, the young Mandela said that if Nelson Mandela was alive, he would have said that if the ANC did to people what the apartheid government did to them, then they mus do to the ANC, what the people did to the apartheid government. She expressed sadness that they came to defend their people when they stand on the shoulders of giants who stood for morality.
On the other hand, Ndileka said she is happy that the people are united as one in defense of democracy, despite the sorrow that is accompanying it. It is a tale of joy and sorrow from South Africa.
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