GWEDE MANTASHE - TELL US YOU ARE NOT THAT STUPID

ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe addressed the party faithful at the party's recent march for "unity, democracy, and non-racialism" in Pretoria. Mantashe stressed that the march was not a protest but a positive initiative for a united society. If so, there was a gaping disconnect between the so-called initiative and his fighting words that had nothing to do with unifying South African society. Mantashe urged ANC members to never take any advice from their enemies, and accused the US government of attempting to influence regime change in the country. What does the advice issue, and the accusation against the US government have to do with creating a united society amongst the people of South Africa? The simple answer - nothing at all. But, seeing Mantashe "opened the door" a brief observation on both issues is appropriate. Mantashe admonishes ANC members never to take advice from its enemies. Surely common sense dictates that one does not take advice from one's enemy. On the other hand, issuing a public warning to ANC members seems to indicate otherwise. Also, Mantashe does not identify enemies of the ANC, leaving one to speculate that opposition parties, the business community, banks and some of the media are likely enemies of the ANC. Mantashe's claim that the US government is attempting to influence regime change is laughable. He was referring to the Mandela Washington Fellowship, which was part of the Young African Leadership Initiative. A bemused Patrick Gaspard, US ambassador to South Africa responded by reminding Mantashe that he had invited him to recommend young ANC leaders for a six week fellowship. I am reminded of the rantings, some 54 years ago, of Albert Hertzog, a cabinet minister in the apartheid regime. He accused the American Field Service Scholarship Programme of indoctrinating young South Africans sent to the US to further their studies. Not much has changed in 54 years in this regard. According to Mantashe the march was a positive initiative promoting "unity, democracy and non-racialism". By injecting issues more akin to a political rally, Mantasha relegated the noble concepts of unity, democracy and non-racialism to the sidelines. A prime example of poor judgment, and for the proposition that wisdom does not always come with old age.