The ANC's Slow Death in Limpopo:A House Divided Against Itself

Once mighty liberation organisation is facing a slow death...

By Mpho Dube-Editor in Chief

The African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo is bleeding, its lifeblood ebbing away with each passing day.

The once-mighty organization, which Nelson Mandela and other stalwarts fought so hard to build, is now on its knees, crippled by internal power struggles and petty squabbles.

The recent allegations against Premier Phophi Ramathuba and Polokwane Mayor John Mpe are just the tip of the iceberg, symptoms of a deeper malaise that threatens to consume the party whole.

As the ANC's elective conference approaches, the party's internal conflicts are reaching a boiling point. Ramathuba, accused of nepotism, fraud, and corruption, has denied the allegations, while Mpe faces scrutiny for allegedly favoring foreign nationals over local contractors. Mpe also dismissed the allegations levelled against him with the contempt they deserved.

The party's provincial spokesperson, Jimmy Machaka, has called for tangible proof to be reported to law enforcement agencies, but the damage is already done. The ANC's reputation is in tatters, its unity in shambles.

This is not just a local issue; it's a national concern. The ANC's slow death in Limpopo is a harbinger of things to come, a warning sign that the party's internal rot is spreading. If left unchecked, it could spell disaster for the party's future, not just in Limpopo but across the country.

The ANC's problems in Limpopo are a classic case of a house divided against itself. The party's leaders, once united in their struggle against apartheid, are now at each other's throats. The infighting, the backstabbing, and the power struggles have created a toxic environment that's driving away supporters and alienating the very people the party is supposed to serve.

As Steve Bantu Biko, the legendary anti-apartheid activist, once said, "The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed." In this case, the oppressor is not the apartheid regime, but the ANC's own internal demons. The party's leaders need to recognize that their infighting is a gift to their opponents, a distraction from the real issues facing the people of Limpopo.

The EFF and DA are salivating at the prospect of the ANC's demise. They're exploiting the party's divisions, using them to their advantage in the court of public opinion. But what's even more concerning is that ANC members are allowing opposition parties to attack and swear at their own members. This is a serious lapse in discipline and a sign of weakness.

The ANC's leaders need to take control of the narrative and ensure that their internal conflicts don't spill over into the public domain. They need to maintain discipline and unity, particularly in the face of opposition parties like the EFF. ANC members should not allow EFF members to dictate the terms of their internal conflicts or attack their own members.

The ANC's leaders need to take a page from Malcolm X's book. They need to speak to their supporters, to tell them that it's time to come together, to put aside their differences and unite behind a common purpose. They need to remind them that the ANC is not just a party, but a movement, a movement that has brought freedom and democracy to the people of South Africa.

The ANC's leaders need to lead by example, to demonstrate the kind of discipline and unity that's required to take the party forward. They need to resolve their differences in a constructive manner, without resorting to public squabbles or allowing opposition parties to dictate the narrative.

The ANC's slow death in Limpopo is not inevitable. The party can still be saved, but it requires leadership, vision, and a commitment to unity. The party's leaders need to put aside their differences, to work together towards a common goal. They need to remember that they're not just fighting for power, but for the future of the people of Limpopo.

The upcoming local elections will be a crucial test of the party's unity and discipline. If the ANC can maintain its unity and present a strong front to the electorate, it may be able to avoid the pitfalls of coalition governance and maintain its majority power in Limpopo. However, if the party's divisions continue to deepen, the consequences could be severe, both for the party's electoral prospects and its long-term viability.

As Nelson Mandela once said, "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." The ANC has fallen, but it can still rise. It needs to rise above its internal conflicts, to find a new sense of purpose and direction. The party's leaders need to lead, to inspire, and to unite their supporters behind a common vision for the future. The ANC's legacy depends on it.

Mpho Dube is The Editor in Chief, Founder and Publisher of The Azanian online national and international publication. He also won three national awards for The Caxton/The Citizen. He was also endorsed to serve at the Pan African Parliament (PAP).