The more things change, the more they remain the same.
The SACP and Cosatu consistently attacked Thabo Mbeki for marginalising the left but Jacob Zuma's cabinet, premiers and MECs have very few communists. And this has not irritated Blade Nzimande and Zwelinzima Vavi.
Maybe marginalising the left was Nelson Mandela's and Mbeki's failure to appoint Nzimande to the Cabinet. Now he accepts the position. This is the hypocrisy of the post-Hani SACP.
In a 34-member cabinet, not more than 10 are communists. So why blame Mbeki for alienating the left? The Presidency has become more powerful than before yet the Left keeps quiet.
The ANC manifesto is silent on nationalising banks, land and mines.
So how is Zuma moving towards the left as claimed by them since Polokwane? How can the likes of Tokyo Sexwale and other nationalists implement a communist or left-wing agenda?
As higher education minister, we want to see Nzimande imposing a left-wing curriculum and free tertiary education.
We also want to see an end to Chinese imports, the creation of sustainable, decent jobs and an end to job losses and casual labour.
The expanded cabinet is mere job creation for both Zuma and Mbeki members, to stop people from joining Cope.
Nhlakanipho Mthombeni,Durban