Over the past 28 years in power, it would be fair to say the African National Congress (ANC) has allowed greed and corruption to rot away the values and ideals it was built upon by its founding fathers. A rot which has spread to every institution, every sector and every home in the country.
When observed, one notices a stark contrast between where the African National Congress was when they were founded and where they are now. Professor Sipho Seepe, a Political Analyst, said money now drives and controls the ANC.
The history of the ANC is rooted in anti-colonialism ideology. The party’s mission has always been to advance Africans’ rights, fight against racial superiority, and maintain freedom and democracy for all who live in the land.
But since the party came into power and took control in 1994, after decades of struggle against the apartheid regime, the ANC lost its way.
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Failure of the ANC
Over the past few years, the ANC’s power has been deteriorating. Many South Africans have entirely lost faith in the government. Last year’s local government election and public opinion indicate the ANC’s chances of ruling after the next national elections are slimmer.
In Prof Seepe’s opinion, during President Ramaphosa’s administration, the ANC fell further into disarray. Factions within the party deepened, infrastructures and livelihoods were destroyed, and there was a lack of improvement on critical issues such as unemployment and the economy.
“What we see in the last five years is a reversal of the gains that were made [in the past]… One could say we are no better today than we were in 1913. As we speak, 80% of the African people find themselves concentrated in concentration camps of poverty, hopelessness and landlessness. And yet the ANC still wants to be seen as the party that can liberate this country.”
He said the ANC needs to reflect on this in the upcoming elective conference, reflect on the founding fathers’ ideals and accept their failures for the country.
The ruling administration, since 1994, has failed in the African people’s cultural and economic emancipation and the ANC’s historical mission.
Emancipation of the People
Professor Seepe said the first mistake South Africans made when voting was to assume all people engaged in the struggle and involved in the ANC were noble. Which was not the case.
Many ministers, politicians and municipalities, amongst others, have been suspected and involved in some form of criminal activity.
As such, millions have been spent on the Zondo Commission to investigate and root out corruption. And since its conclusion, no action has been taken against the guilty.
Professor Seepe reminds South Africans that the ANC is not above the law, and they are not above people.
“Let us not allow ourselves to be imprisoned by a party. Democracy is more important than the ANC, and it is more important than Ramaphosa. It is important for the people of this country. They’ve suffered enough. They must now determine the future for themselves.”
