Despite efforts by senior members to allay fears of disunity in the ANC, they are failing. There is no unity among the seniors themselves, who at every stage subject each other to despicable innuendo.

Despite efforts by senior members to allay fears of disunity in the ANC, they are failing. There is no unity among the seniors themselves, who at every stage subject each other to despicable innuendo.

One would have hoped the ANC was mature enough to handle issues more diplomatically. But members seem to enjoy flaunting their dirty linen in public for all to see.

Perhaps democracy has swayed them from their original goals or they realised they have to adapt to reality. When a house is falling apart, one has to look at the cracks that are too difficult to be mended. Communication is characterised by metaphors, riddles and ambiguity while kitchen utensils are thrown in all directions. One would have thought that with its centenary celebrations in a few years, members would be working hard to solidify the movement.

Ideological differences pose a real threat to the alliance. Besides socialists fighting capitalists, the recent firing of a senior cabinet minister should have been dealt with diplomatically at Luthuli House.

The matter is exacerbated by the fact that the SACP is becoming obsolete in the alliance. It only exists because of its support from Cosatu. It doesn't know how much power it has in the alliance or Cosatu would have used its members as negotiating tools.

Phillimon Mnisi,

Johannesburg