WAKE-UP CALL FOR THE ANC: REJUVENATION IS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

The African National Congress (ANC) has lost its way. The party that once led the struggle for freedom and equality in South Africa has become a shadow of its former self. The ANC's decline is not just a matter of electoral setbacks, but a crisis of identity and purpose.

The harsh reality is that the ANC lost its power as the majority party after getting 40% of the vote in the 2024 elections. The enemy is not the opposition parties, but the ANC itself. The party has lost its political consciousness and its real DNA of putting people first.

Factionalism, corruption, narcissism, and selfishness have become the order of the day. The ANC's leaders are more interested in lining their own pockets than serving the people. They have forgotten the values of the struggle and have abandoned the principles of accountability and transparency.

As Nelson Mandela once said, "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." But the ANC seems to have forgotten this wisdom. Instead of rising to the challenge, the party has succumbed to the temptations of power and corruption.

OR Tambo's words ring truer today than ever: "The people are the most important part of the revolution, and if we forget the people, we forget the revolution." But the ANC has forgotten the people, and in doing so, it has forgotten the revolution.

Steve Biko's warning should be a wake-up call for the ANC: "The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed." But the ANC has become its own oppressor, and its own worst enemy. The party is trapped in a cycle of corruption and self-serving behavior, and it seems unable to break free.

Robert Sobukwe's words are a scathing indictment of the ANC's current state: "The struggle for freedom is not a struggle for the stomach, but a struggle for the soul." But the ANC has lost its soul, and it is struggling to find it.

The ANC's failure to address the country's pressing problems has led to widespread disillusionment and discontent. The people are crying out for change, and it's time for the ANC to listen. The party needs to undergo a radical transformation, to reconnect with its roots, and to recommit to the values of the struggle.

The Government of National Unity, which the ANC has entered into with other parties, is a desperate attempt to cling to power. But it's a recipe for disaster. The ANC needs to rediscover its own identity and purpose, rather than relying on others to prop it up.

It's time for the ANC to weed out the corrupt, the self-servish, and the incompetent, and to bring in fresh blood and new ideas. The party needs to be led by people who are committed to serving the greater good, not just their own

interests.

As Mandela said, "It always seems impossible until it's done." The ANC can still do it, but it needs to wake up and smell the coffee. The party needs to take a

hard look at itself and ask: what have we become? What happened to our values? What happened to our commitment to the people?

The people of South Africa are waiting with bated breath for the ANC to rediscover its soul. They are waiting for the party to embark on a journey of self-reflection, self-correction, and renewal.

The ANC's future is not yet written. It can still choose to be the party of hope and transformation that it once was. But it needs to act now, and it needs to act decisively.

As OR Tambo said, "We must not allow our differences to divide us, but rather to enrich us." The ANC needs to embrace its diversity and its complexity, and to use it as a strength, not a weakness.

The ANC has the potential to be a powerful force for good in South Africa. But it needs to wake up and smell the coffee.

Mpho Dube is a highly accomplished individual, serving as the Editor-in-Chief, Founder, and Publisher of The Azanian, a prominent online national and international publication. His exceptional work has been recognized with three national awards from The Caxton/The Citizen, a testament to his dedication to quality journalism. Additionally, he has been endorsed to serve at the Pan African Parliament (PAP), highlighting his commitment to contributing to Africa's development and progress.