Polls a 'wake-up call' for the ANC

THE 2011 local government elections were a "huge wake-up call" for the ANC, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said yesterday.

"The writing is on the wall, read and act. If there is one message that we should heed from these elections, it is that the national liberation symbolism and history will eventually wane and mean nothing to a hungry stomach," Vavi told the National Union of Mineworkers' central committee meeting in Boksburg.

He said people had lost faith in their leaders and wanted a movement that would improve their lives.

Vavi said "the people" "hated" factionalism and division, which "consume all the energies of leaders".

He said voters had spoken out against inefficiency in the government caused by "slate politics" that overlooked "talented individuals in favour of those who come from the more powerful factions".

Vavi said campaigning for the elections had been an "uphill battle" in the face of high levels of poverty and inequality.

The Democratic Alliance, in campaigning for the 2011 polls, said the ANC had abandoned the values of former president Nelson Mandela, and campaigned in strongholds of ANC support, like Soweto.

But the ANC managed to emerge on top, garnering 62percent of the vote.

"Even so, we need to start asking tough questions after these elections."

He said Cosatu looked forward to the ANC's probe into possible fraudulent appointments of councillors.