As world leaders and activists gather in Bloemfontein to
celebrate the centenary of the African National Congress Party (ANC) it should
provide an opportunity for all onlookers and participants to reflect and
rejoice. The internal struggles against the Apartheid Government that
eventually forced the world to act should be something that we must never
forget. White rule saw coloured and black people subjugated, withheld basic
economic and human rights. Anyone who tried to undermine the regime was
brutally repressed. The ANC openly challenged the Apartheid system, providing
legal help for defendants against a bias judiciary and organising strikes and
boycotts. Banned by the Government following the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960,
where 69 protestors were killed after police opened fire, it continued to
operate in secret. Working across the border in neighbouring Angola and Mozambique, it planned and
launched sabotage attacks against factories, mines and communications with an
aim to disrupt the day-to-day working of the country. Many of its activists
were incarcerated, most notably Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu, whilst others
were fleeing abroad to push the intellectual message to an international
audience. The ANC had become the world’s moral upright party, it was a cause
that touched people’s conscience and believed it was time to act.
The release of Nelson Mandela from prison and his subsequent
election as the first black leader of South Africa saw the rebirth of the
country and an avenue of hope for millions of ordinary South Africans. Perhaps his
greatest legacy was standing down after one term in 1999, allowing democracy to
flourish after 50 years of insubordination. So does the party really stop
there?
Since the man they call ‘Madiba’ stood down there has been
greater scrutiny to how the country operates. His successors Thabo Mbeki and
the current President Jacob Zuma have both been criticised as the party’s
political practices have been questioned and a new ruling elite have emerged. Instead
of the demands and transition to a fairer and more equal society, vast amounts
of wealth have exchanged into ANC associated hands. In 1999 instances of widespread
corruption were uncovered after the procurement of $4.8 billion of defence
contracts with European defence manufacturers. Mbeki played down the HIV/AIDS
epidemic across the country and Zuma said that showering after intercourse was
a way of prevention. Mbeki was accused by human rights groups for turning a
blind eye to atrocities being committed across the border by the Zimbabwean tyrant
Robert Mugabe. Zuma’s leadership has been dogged by inter-party conflict led by
the former youth league leader Julius Malema and the recent passing of a
secrecy bill that forbids whistle blowing and investigative journalism against the national government. Both
men played their part in the early struggles, yet both have continued to
present the past as their ticket to the future. 17 years of power has not
served well a new generation; millions of blacks still live in townships,
almost 8.7 million live on less than a $1.25 a day, not to mention the high unemployment
and violent crime rates. Both Mbeki and Zuma have made promises that
remain unfulfilled.
Electorally the ANC continues to win votes from the
Apartheid-era electorate, yet the population with a median age of 25, less
aware of the past and uncertain of their future is turning to the electorally viable
Democratic Alliance party, led by Helen Zille and significantly, Mamphela
Ramphele, a fierce ANC critic and partner of the late Apartheid era hero, Steve Biko. The centenary should be
an opportunity to remember the likes of Mandela, Sisulu, Tutu, Tambo and all
others in the struggle, but we should remember those who have continued that
have been left behind by the malaise of the ANC administration.
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