The ANC is deeply divided on whether to extend an invitation to EFF leader Julius Malema to participate in the Brics Political Parties Forum scheduled for this month.
Sunday World can reveal that there was a vitriolic showdown among ANC NEC members Naledi Pandor, Lindiwe Zulu and Andile Lungisa, who are members of the committee tasked with prelimenary preparations for events prior to the much anticipated Brics
summit.
Pandor, who is minister of international relations and cooperation, and Zulu, who is minister of social development, were strongly opposed to proposals to extend an invitation to Malema to participate in the events, while Lungisa vehemently pushed for the firebrand politician’s
inclusion.
According to ANC insiders, Zulu and Pandor, at a meeting discussing who to invite to the forum, argued that Malema should be snubbed because he is an enemy of Africa’s oldest liberation movement, who publicly insults and lampoons its leaders in parliament with impunity.
Our sources revealed that the meeting became heated when Lungisa accused Zulu and Pandor of being “petty”. This resulted in committee chair Obed Bapela calling for the three politicians to calm down.
“Lindiwe Zulu and Naledi Pandor submitted that the EFF leader cannot be given a platform because he has positioned himself as the enemy of the ANC and its government, and a heated exchange ensued.”
Another NEC member present at the meeting said Lungisa did not waste time in interjecting and coming to Malema’s defence. He said he agreed with Lungisa’s political posture and maturity.
“What kind of madness is that? Lungisa fought a good fight. He told them they were out of order when they have no idea what Brics is about and why South Africa joined it.
“He went on to accuse them of not having history of being progressive,” said the leader, who asked to remain faceless because he is not authorised to speak to the media.
“Lungisa pointed an accusing finger at them, saying they did not support SA joining Brics only for them to act like someone who hates cooking but is the first at the dinner table to eat. “Lungisa was unequivocal that blocking Malema because he insults them in parliament was petty. He told them to defend each other in parliament and throw back the same insults at Julius if they could, but was firm that excluding Julius, whom he deems as part of the progressive forces of the left, was something the ANC should reject.”
Malema confirmed he has not received an invite to participate at the upcoming event.
In his view, blocking him on a geopolitical platform because of domestic political difference was “the lowest of lows.”
But such was what had become of the governing party, he charged, saying he was not surprised that Zulu, “who has a tendency of not being a serious person” was among the people said to have led the charge for his exclusion.
“That is petty. When it comes to politics, there are people you can domestically disagree with but when it comes to geopolitics you rise above. That is why when we go to multinational and continental bodies, if there is a candidate to send it does not matter whether they are from the ANC or whatever party, at that level you consider what is in the best interests of the country,” said Malema.
“But I would not be shocked at the pettiness of the ANC at that level, but we do not mind sharing both the platform and the perspective with those we disagree with on domestic issues because what matters is the interests of our country. “The ANC has degenerated into the lowest level you can ever imagine.” The EFF leader said his party would add value to the discussions around Brics but if Luthuli House felt otherwise, there was nothing he could do. “Our country is part of Brics and we think Brics creates that alternative platform in terms of geopolitics for all of us to engage on how we shape the world politically, economically and socially . Therefore if such a platform is presented, we will not hesitate to participate but it depends on the powers -that-be, we will not impose ourselves.”
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri had not responded to questions at the time of going to print. Lungisa confirmed the showdown but declined to comment further.
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