ANC veteran and the party’s newly appointed KwaZulu-Natal provincial task team convenor Jeff Radebe is not worried that his former close allies Jacob Zuma and Willies Mchunu have turned into his adversaries.
This after Radebe took up the role to claw back ANC support, which was subjected to a hostile takeover by the fledgling MK Party led by Zuma nationally and Mchunu in KwaZulu-Natal.
Both Zuma and Mchunu are comrades that Radebe had close ties with during their time in the ANC. He also worked closely with them in KwaZulu-Natal, but more closely with Zuma as head of state.
Radebe is not concerned about their current status as ANC opponents, especially considering the ANC’s proven track record and longevity as Africa’s oldest liberation movement.
He suggested that MKP could potentially follow the path of the now-defunct Cope, which erupted during the 2009 general elections and was expected to topple the ANC but failed.
But that was not the only example he highlighted, as he did the same about another falling ANC splinter, the UDM of Bantubonke Holomisa.
Radebe emphasised that he will continue to be cordial with Zuma and Mchunu, as he has done with Holomisa.
In fact, it was not on his radar to bother himself with the affairs of MKP, which is eating at the base of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal.
As for trying to convince Zuma and Mchunu, to whom he has a direct line, to come back to the ANC, Radebe will not bother but would trust history to repeat itself where ANC cadres who leave eventually return when their adventures do not work out.
“Life goes on. Who would have thought, for instance, that in 2024 the ANC would enter into a coalition government with the Democratic Party? So, nothing is impossible,” said Radebe.
“Where is Cope today? Where is UDM today? Bantu Holomisa is still my comrade.
“The point I am making is that the ANC is the parliament of the South African people and a broad church that has never denied people coming back to the ANC.”
An optimist of note, Radebe believes that the ANC can reclaim its position in KwaZulu-Natal and become the majority party in that province again.
Similar to how the ANC had done it against all odds when it rose to the Union Buildings in 1994, dislodging an established apartheid regime.
“It is not the last kick of a dying horse; we are determined to ensure that we come back.
“Who would have thought that one day the ANC would come into power in 1994? Many had lost hope, but many of us forged ahead, determined that one day we shall overcome,” he said.
Radebe brushed off the emergence of MKP against ANC in a ward by-election contest this week, saying there were positive signs to take from that defeat.
As for MKP sleeper agents within the ANC’s KZN structures, one of the factors blamed for the 2024 election drubbing, Radebe said they will all be unmasked and spat out like an old chewing gum.
“By their actions, we shall not know them. If we are on the ground, it should not be difficult to find double dealers because the ANC does not allow its members in good standing to vote for other parties that are in opposition to the ANC.
“So, if we are rigorous about our operation, we can find sleeper agents. Everyone joins the ANC voluntarily.”
In any event, he added, this coming week, Luthuli House membership officials will descend on KwaZulu-Natal for a membership audit.
