mkabayi

ebrahim harvey is not just motlanthe's biographer, he has become his chief propagandist after the publishing of this book. it is clear that sowetan has picked its horse for mangaung by publishing a
critique by harvey of his very own book! the writer makes not attempt to critically examine motlanthe's life story, his character, the decisions he made, etc. the article completely lacks objectivity.



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ProgressiveAfricanDemocrat

Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe is the right man to lead the ANC and the country. Motlanthe enjoys the suppot of the majority of South Africans and members of the ANC. He also enoys support among the majoity of youth in this country and also the ANC. But just because he enjoys majoity support will not necessarily translate into victory. The biggest problem is in the ANC led by Jacob Zuma and Gwede Mantashe, who allow ANC democratic processes to be compromised. In KZN ANC members are dictated to by the provincial leadership and most ANC members are afraid of voicing contrary opinions saying "this is KZN, we are afraid for our lives". If ANC members whose forefathers have fought for freedom in this country do not have the freedom to excercise their rights to elect leadership, what hope is there for the rest of South Africa. In Ethekwini, branches that are perceived to be opposed to the regional leadership are disqualified from participating in conferences. In Mpumalanga, money is used to buy ANC membership with ANC branches flooded with ghost members with the connivance of ANC national auditors colluding with Zuma supporters. There is a serious problem in the Bohlabela Region, home of Premier David Mabuza where 60 branches increased their branch membership by 100 members, something that Gwede Mantashe is prepared to turn a blind eye to. The same thing applies to Freistata where the leadership there realising that it cannot have its way in the branches, decides to launch parallel structures in order to frustrate the majority of ANC members. The same applies to OR Tambo Region, where provincial deployees launched parallel structures in oder to create space for Jacob Zuma supporters.

It is very important that ANC members, particularly the ANC Youth League, make sure that the right of legitimate ANC branches to elect leadership is respected. The ANC Youth League should not wait until Mangaung to contest the credentials of delegates. If they until then, the entire National Conference is going to collapse and there will be no leadership election and Jacob Zuma and Gwede Mantashe will be happy to extend their mandate until 2014. And in the meantime Zuma factionalists will be continuing padding membership lists in KZN, Freistata and Mpumalanga and make sure that they send 60% of delegates to the next National Conference which will probably be held in Ethekwini KZN. The ANC Youth League should be bold and save the ANC and South Africa from a looming dictatorship.

Yes, Motlanthe is the right candidate to lead the ANC and country.


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cornelius

Mothlanthe has a difficult decision to make. If he stands it could divide the party further, and if he stands and loses, it will mean the end of his career at least in the immediate future, depriving him of the opportunity to set right what is wrong.

I am convinced KM knows what is wrong in the party and country, and knows that Zuma is incapable of turning things around, for many reasons.

It is KM' s historic duty and opportunity to step up to the plate and save this country from the moral and economic downward spiral that we are in. Moral especially.
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ProgressiveAfricanDemocrat

@cornelius.
Motlanthe's decision is definitely not difficult. He cannot say no if he is nominated by ANC branches to contest Jacob Zuma. Let us not forget that those who are pronouncing now in favour of Jacob Zuma are provincial leaders who are beholden to him in terms of their positions. ANC branches are currently being lobbied by the ANC Youth League and many others, and people should not be surprised when branches make their own decisions.

Motlanthe has nothing to lose. Not many people are aware that his presidential slary is guaranteed for life. In fact he is not getting a salary as deputy president. With the ANC in such a terrible state as it is now, there is no way that he can turn down the request by ANC branches to save the ANC from embarassment of the last five years, anarchy and chaos.

The one who should be very afraid is Jacob Zuma if he loses. Most people in South Africa want him to be recharged. I personally believe that it will be very unfortunate to send the old man to prison if he is found guilty, but if that is what the law says what can we say?

I am convinced that if Motlanthe does not stand against Zuma now, he is going to be overtaken by events/ Come the next National Conference, by hook, crook, line and sinker KZN would have signed a 1.4m members looking at the ate at which it is signing up members now. The same applies to Freistata and Mpumalanga who by then would also have signed up additional 700 000 members just by cooking the books and if Gwede Mantashe is still S-G they will get away with it. He always tunrs a blind eye to these things as long as they favour him and Jacob Zuma. Instead of Motlanthe the next president is going to be Dr Zweli Mkhize.
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Mgwijikhwebu

Dr Zweli Mkhize will be the best ANC leader in decades. Isn't whatyou people want? All this time you have been decrying JZ's lack of formal education, and now if KZN presents you with one of its well trained, educated, level-headed, intelligent and disciplined son, you run for cover again. The question is what is really that you people want for SA? A Malema or a more polished Malema version in the form of Mbalula?
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Mgwijikhwebu

@ProgressiveAfricanDemocrat,
It is worth noticing and interesting to note that you have conveniently omitted to mention the sudden rise in membership in Limpopo. Actually if one looks at the recently published figures, Limpopo recorded close to 41% growth, which is way above KZN, FS and Mpumalanga.
You can mislead the mis-informed and ignorant masses but not all of us.
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