citizens have a duty to speak
With Zackie Achmat
Every citizen, especially citizens who are ANC supporters and voters, those who have no interest in rising in the party hierarchy, have a duty to speak in public about policy, ideas and programmes. Such speech must be critical for criticism is the definitive element of loyalty.
It has become customary for senior members of the ANC and the Alliance to say that the divisions in the ruling party that have emerged over the ’succession debate’ are harming the party and the country. They are right, but the solution, they seem to suggest, is to unite behind one candidate, to silence the debate or at best to effect reconciliation between the camps. However, ‘unity’ brokered by sweeping ‘disunity’ or disagreement under the carpet is false. This would simply entrench the culture of backroom manoeuvring and politicking that threatens to completely exclude ANC voters, and the public at large, from a debate of the most profound importance to all of us.
The alternative to infighting and back biting is not complete consensus, but debate. In fact, that is precisely what we need – open, public debate. This is the only antidote to the poisoned political atmosphere in which supporting or opposing particular (undeclared) candidates can wreck one’s career. Debate (as opposed to politicking) does not focus on individuals, but on values. The important question is not who will be our next president, but what values he or she will embody.
But people in our country, particularly progressive and ANC-aligned ones, should not wait for our leaders to provide us with the opportunity to debate our collective future. The opportunity is there if we take it. This evening there will be one such opportunity for open public debate in Manenberg. The Progressive ANC Voters Network will hold its first public meeting, at which residents of Manenberg and others will have the chance to raise their concerns and views. It will be a small meeting funded through small citizens’ efforts.
Why Manenberg, you might ask. Why a ‘coloured’ area ‘riddled by gansterism and crime’ and known for voter apathy, and, among those who do vote, staunch DA support? Well, precisely for those reasons. The people of Manenberg are not politically disaffected without reason: if mainstream politics, and the ANC structures in particular, do not engage their criticism we will fail to build African, coloured and white unity. This engagement represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. If we are afraid of tackling political disaffection head-on, what chance do we have of reversing it?
The network is not a political party or faction and it does not claim to be able to solve social problems in Manenberg or elsewhere. It is a small network that aims to bring together individuals who vote for or support the ANC in public spaces where they are able to debate our future. But it may contribute to a new spirit of public participation in politics, and it may help communities reclaim the ANC from the careerists and opportunists that President Mbeki has rightly warned us against. Many of the founders of the network are young activists who do not have a long tradition of service in the ANC, and some will certainly call our actions impertinent. But we are proud to continue a tradition of youth activism and appropriate impertinence, the rekindling of which is key to building our future. Sustained engagement by young people, workers and working class people and progressive ANC supporters of all classes will also help ensure the party is never dominated by vested interests and personal ambition.
Since its inception almost a century ago, the ANC has consistently been the most progressive force in South African politics. At a time when narrow nationalism, imperialism and racial politics were the norm throughout the world, the ANC espoused a doctrine of non-racialism and inclusive democracy. It stuck to its progressive values throughout the long years of the struggle, and only a return to these values will solve the problems we now face.
But what are these progressive values? They are perhaps best articulated in the Freedom Charter, and include a pro-poor and pro-working class tradition firmly committed to the eradication of poverty and social inequality; unwavering commitment to the equality and liberation of women, non-racialism, and action against tribalism, xenophobia, homophobia and all forms of discrimination. The ANC must also vigilantly guard its commitment to constitutional democracy built on a strong and accountable legislature and independent judiciary. Needless to say, intolerance of and strong action against all forms of corruption is critical.
The vision of a non-sexist, non-racial and prosperous South Africa must be transformed into a practical 21st century programme for the ANC. If the ANC returns to its traditional progressive values, while at the same time building a modern, open and vibrantly democratic party, it will successfully steer through the current crisis and emerge again as a party worthy to lead. South Africa deserves and expects no less.
This article appeared in the Cape Times of 28 March 2007. It was also published on the PAVN blog.
