By Celani Sikhakhane
Mike Mabuyakhulu, a former ANC deputy chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal, has criticised the ANC for turning former president Jacob Zuma and the party’s former Youth League leader Julius Malema into “demi-gods”, which he says has hurt the party.
Speaking at an ANC meeting in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, Mabuyakhulu said it was unlikely that the ANC would form a government with the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party or the EFF, as these parties were working against the ANC.
“The biggest mistake we made in the ANC was giving too much power to certain individuals, turning them into demi-gods. They believed they were born to lead. That’s why today we have the MK and EFF,” Mabuyakhulu said.
He admitted that the ANC lost many votes in the 29 May general elections but pointed out that joining the government of national unity (GNU) helped them gain more power.
“We dropped to 43%, but with the GNU, we are now over 60% in the cabinet,” he said.
Mabuyakhulu said that being part of the GNU is a way for the ANC to rebuild and regain the people’s trust.
There has been conflict within the ANC, with some members wanting to form a GNU with the MK and EFF. In response, the party sent national chairperson Gwede Mantashe to Nkandla to meet with Zuma.
Zuma reportedly told Mantashe that the MK party would only join the GNU if key leaders like President Cyril Ramaphosa, Fikile Mbalula, Gwen Ramakgopa, Mantashe himself, and Maropene Ramakgopa were removed.
Zuma suggested Nomvula Mokonyane and Paul Mashatile, elected at the ANC’s 2022 Nasrec conference, should lead the party.
However, the ANC refused to meet Zuma’s demands.
Pictured above: ANC former KZN deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu.
Source: X
