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BIG CHALLENGES: Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Ngoako Ramatlhodi. Photo: NTWAAGAE SELEKA

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Addressing ANC members during the Oliver Tambo Memorial Lecture at the Bloemfontein City Hall on Wednesday evening, Ramatlhodi said the ruling party was not leaderless as some have claimed. He, however, acknowledged that there were problems.

"We are faced with challenges and have a leadership capable of confronting those challenges.

"Let us acknowledge the challenges and not exaggerate them by denying ourselves the opportunity to lead," he said.

Ramatlhodi said those who called Zuma a "moron and an imbecile and not an intellectual were not aware that the man operated within a collective".

"We should not be misled but must instead refuse to be characterised. This leadership will lead the ANC for a long time.

"We have a big radar and we know where we are going," Ramatlhodi added.

The deputy minister also lashed out at the Department of Education for failing to provide pupils in Limpopo with textbooks.

"Tambo believed in education and established Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College in Tanzania.

"The only way to equalise the nation is through education and we should be competitive here and in the world. It does not stay well with me that by 2012 we still can't deliver textbooks to Limpopo," he said.

Referring to the expulsion of former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema from the party, Ramatlhodi said "it was not the first time that people were expelled by the party, especially those who mobilise against the decisions of the party".

He said Tambo believed that people were their own liberators and that the ANC was a catalyst to their liberation.

Ramatlhodi said that at the coming elective conference in Mangaung, the ANC should "discuss how to keep the confidence of the masses because if we abandon the masses, other political parties will take advantage of that".

He praised Tambo's role in the struggle against apartheid and said he was "a fearless warrior, a titan, a democrat and a unifier".

"He was a humble guy, a good listener and a good contributor who never imposed his views. Tambo was accessible to the ANC and respected theleadership.

"He played a role in the establishment of political underground activities, the armed struggle and mass actions," Ramatlhodi said.

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Thu May 23 15:37:59 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 26, 2012

Pitso.MCCMA.SAFA

Who is this?
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Oct 26, 2012

MommaC

"This leadership will lead the ANC for a long time."

...... then the ANC is screwed.
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Oct 26, 2012

warry

The was no money during Tambo's time but only getting stipends. Now, Hey you in charge of the fiscal. It's all about the money, money and more money.
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Oct 26, 2012

Tasto_

Its no wonder some think their homestead will be a centre of power & official residence of SA!!
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Oct 26, 2012

Zabaragast

lol exactly MommaC.
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Oct 26, 2012

ThirdEye

He is making an investment with his words, he knows that by publicly backing Zuma, Zuma will reward him with a Ministry position or to be the Head of NPA(it what he was eyeing for long ).

That how Zuma operate & they know that.
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Oct 26, 2012

swona

I have never been a fan of this guy, he was lucky to have married in the same family as mbeki, but as apolitician? No!
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Oct 26, 2012

jnrb

"Ramatlhodi said those who called Zuma a "moron and an imbecile and not an intellectual were not aware that the man operated within a collective".

So in other words Ramatlhodi admits that those who call Zuma a "moron and an imbecile and not an intellectual" may be correct but they should take comfort in the fact that Zuma is surrounded by smart people.

Not very inspiring when the deputy minister says things like that.
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Oct 26, 2012

!#Sinudeity#!

Zuma is a moron and an imbecile. And this 'collective' is k1lling the country.
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Oct 26, 2012

JoyMaster24

Ngoako Ramatlhodi failed us during his term as a mayor at Aron Motswaledi destrict, even now we don't have water and roads. They can praise Tambo yes we agree, but what they are doing during there them that we will remember them of. Stealing from the poor and blame apartheid or attacking anyone who have different view with their leadership.
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