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I was disappointed to see what was said at various Workers Day rallies. There was booing of President Jacob Zuma because Cosatu has backed Cyril Ramaphosa to take over as President and they don’t want Jacob Zuma to be the President anymore. Some workers are still happy with Zuma and others demanded that he be replaced. What worried me was how the ANC National Chairperson, Baleka Mbete, when interrupted in KwaZulu-Natal while giving a speech, explained to the people that were booing that that would make the enemies of the ANC happy. She went on to say, “If we do this, we make our enemies happy. Of late, our enemies have even learnt that they can march. It’s us who have shown that our enemies can divide us.”
I wonder precisely who she is referring to when she says our enemies have recently learnt to march? I think it is terribly worrying that the ANC is singling out a certain section of the population in calling them enemies. It is one thing to understand that a rebel rousing politician might talk like that, but being the National Chairperson of the ANC one would think that you would not engage in that type of speech suggesting that those who took part in recent marches are the enemy. People do not become enemies of the ANC, or indeed the Government or South Africa, just because they think we can do better in the position of President. It is sad that expressing one’s opinion can lead to this type of reaction and one cannot help but feel that when she says the enemy “have even learnt that they can march” she is referring to white people, although it is wrong to label all of those who took part in the marches as white. It also creates the illusion that those in the ANC who want Jacob Zuma replaced are doing so because the enemy (these new people who have learnt to march) have persuaded them and are dividing the ANC.
Anybody who follows politics in South Africa would know that this new group of marchers have nothing to do with what is going on inside the ANC and probably would not be marching if it was not for the fact that they know that the ANC itself is divided and is open to influence. In other words, I believe in many respects the reason the marches were motivated is that many people realise that there are many within the ruling party who are completely unhappy with the situation at the moment. It is incorrect to suggest that Jacob Zuma is the ANC and that he has the full support of the organisation when clearly he has lost the support of many within the ANC.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Friday 19-May-17
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Comments
Nicolle said:
on Monday 05-Jun-17 09:38 AM
The underlying message to all of this - that the current unified protests across South Africa, have nothing to do with race and everything to do with corrupt governance and bad leadership.
The protests have unified South Africa, shown the government that we are able to stand together, and, more so, given the people of South Africa hope in our beautiful people and country.
patrick said:
on Wednesday 31-May-17 05:48 PM
politicians are quick to forget. the word 'coackroach' caused a massive wipe out of people in Rwanda. she once used the same word against Malema ad she was forced to withdraw. the Anc and nobody else is an opposition in itself opposing itself and the writing is on the wall. the damage has been done it will not see majority in 2019 even if they were to recall Zuma.is too late
Zindy said:
on Monday 29-May-17 09:39 AM
I agree with Nikita, They are enemies amongst themselves. Unity is strength. Something the ANC lacks, We Live in a world built on promises constructed by liars.
Brenda van den Bergh said:
on Monday 29-May-17 09:27 AM
That is pretty offensive to be called the "enemies" when all that was done was done for a better South Africa. We have been a diverse country for over 20 years now and it has been quite a journey for all races. But at the end of the day, it has worked. It is very disturbing and sad that after so many years they have grown to be the majority and now they feel that they have the power to call people "enemies". The march was a good thing for change. Change for a better future and a brighter tomorrow, but the intentions were twisted and the ANC followers were manipulated to believe that it is an "attack" tactic, and we are now the "enemies". I do fear for the future of this country.
Nikita said:
on Friday 26-May-17 03:41 PM
The only enemies the ANC have to face are those within their own party! Everybody else is set on the same goal - removing the poison from within our government. Those ANC members that have not had the wool pulled over their eyes need to make the divide more evident now more than ever.
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Friday 26-May-17 03:14 PM
I feel like that everyone is devided these days. No one can ever stand together and this is one of the many reasons why South Africa won't be able to move forward. It's sad but true. Everything always becomes a racial issue or a gender issue and I'm quite sick of it!
Prishani said:
on Friday 26-May-17 09:42 AM
I think that the ANC has to accept the fact that they are divided and that the enemies they are really facing are those within the actual party! I certainly do hope that the members of the party who are against Zuma continue to express their views.
Liz said:
on Friday 26-May-17 09:18 AM
This is very troubling. I agree with some of the previous comments stating that the comment was not necessarily aimed at white people, rather anybody that takes a stand against the ANC. This comment is manipulative and sly and I hope that people will be able to see through this tasteless attempt to sway those doubting the ANC.
Lourien said:
on Wednesday 24-May-17 05:30 PM
I found this comment to be racial and we are a country where we need to stand together, its not about race or gender its actually the country against our government. The people who voted for them should vote them out this time around as clearly the ANC and Zuma is corrupt and they have shown that over and over, I certainly hope they have all learned a valuable lesion and that voting for Zuma was a big mistake.
ter said:
on Wednesday 24-May-17 09:50 AM
I also got the impression that she is referring to white people, but one should really not be surprised that they would talk like that. It is always a racial issue, it doesn't surprise me at all that that was even said. It's really typical of the ANC, they always blame it on someone else and never think that it's actually their own people (of which I mean the ANC) who can decide for themselves that they want change and are now fed up with the mess our president has made. If there wasn't a hole in their organisation in the first place then nobody would have succeeded to convince them that change has to come.
Zanell said:
on Wednesday 24-May-17 09:09 AM
I suppose this was done to create doubt in the minds of those who wish to go against Zuma. This is one of the main reasons why South Africa will never move forward.
Daniella said:
on Monday 22-May-17 12:36 PM
I cant say that this is unexpected, they will constantly turn the tables and make it seem as thought that anyone that goes against the ANC is automatically 'The Enemy" never mind the fact that Jacob Zuma is running this Country into the ground , the protesters are the enemies.
Jadine Richards said:
on Monday 22-May-17 09:25 AM
I believe that the ANC will see any person that is not a member of the ANC as “the enemy”, totally independent of colour. All the ANC National Chairperson, Baleka Mbete was doing by commenting as she did was playing on emotions and trying to get South Africans that had felt the previous sting of Apartheid to remember why they fought so hard and attempt to remind them as to where their loyalties should lie.
The ANC is antiquated and has not realised that you cannot play on our emotions as we are not part of the historical masses. We as the new generation are equipped and educated enough to know that emotions do not run a country. Common sense and hard work does and the days are over when people made political decisions that could affect our country based on emotions rather than fact.
Michelle said:
on Monday 22-May-17 08:26 AM
All people have the right to march if they are not happy with something no matter what colour you are. I thought the march was nice to see afterwards, all the photos how the people stood together. It is sad to hear that Baleka Mbete would say something like that.
Lucretia said:
on Friday 19-May-17 03:49 PM
What disappoints me more that stupid thing said by MP's is the fact that there are so many allegations against our president and yet he still occupies that post. What will it take to get rid of him. I want to see him stand trial for all the charges against him because, if he stays until December 2017, I fear more what he can still do until the elections in 2019. As for being the enemy, I am proud to be called an enemy if it means standing up AGAINST corruption.
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Friday 19-May-17 02:57 PM
Jacob Zuma has lost not only confidence with those within the ANC but also ANC supporters on the outside. The comment made by Baleka Mbete is a typical comment to try and justify why Zuma can remain president - it is a typical example of him trying to manipulate and change some peoples mindset. It is the typical comment that will continue to divide South Africans. The longer these type of comments are accepted and allowed, the further the nation divides. You can see it in all the comments on any news story or feed on facebook or the internet - everything is about race, Everyone who is the enemy is classified as a certain race and people are accepting it. The government is dividing us and we are allowing it. It is an absolute sad, sad time in South African history. Everything we have tried to overcome, everything we have tried to rebuild is being destroyed and I truly fear for where our country is going. Is there even a future left?
brumilde said:
on Friday 19-May-17 02:47 PM
as always i hate SA politics well any polities unfortunately you cannot miss it , riot and marches and people burning property. oh what a devious nation we have become. ANC losts its plot the when madiba stepped down. and they are on a huge downward swirl
Tamaryn said:
on Friday 19-May-17 01:28 PM
To publically refer to a certain group of people as enemies at a rally where people are already tense incites violence. That is tantamount to hate speech. If hate speech is dealt with so strictly in every other instance, why is it not addressed when the National Chairperson of the leading party does so? Is there an exclusion when it comes to the leading party being held accountable for their actions? It would certainly appear so- some unwritten rule that they are untouchable.
Juliet said:
on Friday 19-May-17 11:27 AM
Spoken like a true abuser, her words echo what many people have thought and will continue to think for years no matter what evidence is given to the contrary - white people are the enemy. She abuses her power when she uses her position to spread hate speech - totally anti-democratic. She abuses the people who trust her by misleading them with rubbish talk and she abuses herself for allowing herself to drown in a cyclone of hatred instead of looking at herself and what she can do to make SA a better country! Stop blaming the white people and get on with it! If you are capable of doing so that is,,,
Joyce said:
on Friday 19-May-17 11:26 AM
I think the enemy is within the ruling party itself. I think maybe she was sending the message indirect to their enemies within themselves. The division within the ruling party speaks for itself and that leads them to a confusion. I think people of South Africa deserve to be left alone and be united.
Joyce said:
on Friday 19-May-17 11:25 AM
I think the enemy is within the ruling party itself. I think maybe she was sending the massage indirect to their enemies within themselves. The division within the ruling party speaks for itself and that leads them to a confusion. I think people of South Africa deserve to be left alone and be united.
Jadine E said:
on Friday 19-May-17 11:08 AM
They are slowly falling apart as a "united" political party and are doing so as well by airing each other's mistakes and shortcomings within the party.
Nina said:
on Friday 19-May-17 10:48 AM
It is about time that some of the ANC suppoters eyes go open. People can tolorate bad service only for so long until they also get fed up. I believe we will see big changes at the next national election and if the ANC still wins (which will probably happen), I don't think it will be by a big margin.
Henrietta said:
on Friday 19-May-17 10:32 AM
I agree 100% with this blog. With ANC being divided they open to influence all the better for us "the enemies" to use it against them. I don't think they expected so many people to march against ANC thus referring to the "enemies who have learnt to march". They have underestimated the people of this country who is fed up.
Ashleigh said:
on Friday 19-May-17 10:12 AM
Anyone who is anti corruption is enemies. Crime and corruption is what the people of this country has had enough of. It is out of control and has not been controlled by the government and now that the people are voicing their opinions, they are considered to be the "enemies"
Jessica M said:
on Friday 19-May-17 09:51 AM
The enemy lives amongst themselves.... The sooner they learn that the better it will get. We are not the enemy we are the people of the country who will have our voices heard.
Alexis said:
on Friday 19-May-17 09:36 AM
I think what she may be calling 'new', is the fact that it was a united front, everybody is tired, everyone is irritated with the whole situation. However, if she did mean it that way....seriously...can this country just get over it already....times have changed....things will never go back to the way it was...we all need to stand together and do what is best for this beautiful country we have....and the fact that it can as well be far better.
The ANC- it is nobody's fault but their own that they are divided - it is far easier to blame others that take responsibility, which I have noticed in this country, taking responsibility is a very rare thing here
Bianca said:
on Friday 19-May-17 09:26 AM
The enemies are absolutely everyone who don't agree with the mishandling conduct that the ANC is showing. I believe that there are many members within the ANC that also believe that the party is driving the country into the ground. Unfortunately there is so much corruption and fear that people do not want to stand up and let their voices be heard, nothing and no-one is protected other than the corrupt few. I do not believe that she was referring to white people in her remark, I believe she meant citizens that are now joining the marches against Zuma.
Thabitha said:
on Friday 19-May-17 09:13 AM
She is jealousy of the people who can see between wrong and right that is why she is calling people names it is not just white people who are sick and tired of Zuma’s corruption everyone is, while the ANC members are sitting and doing nothing allowing corruption. The problem about them is they are so arrogant and by the way who said Zuma is ANC come 2019 they will see the enemy.
Angelique P said:
on Friday 19-May-17 09:07 AM
I just don't understand why people get away with all of this. If a white person only look funny at a black person than he/she is discriminating against that black person. I am sick and tired of people blaming apartheid for everything all the time. People that was not even apart of apartheid is moaning the most. When is this going to change and what do they want to prove?
Jessica Apfel said:
on Friday 19-May-17 08:51 AM
I do not think that Mbete was referring to 'white' people when she made her comments about 'learning to march' and in actual fact we should devoid any racial classification. Those that have recently spoken out and ' learnt to march' are members of civil society, be they members of the EFF, DA and other opposition parties. The marches were multi racial and it is not safe to categorise. The enemy is not a singular but a collective - a collective of people finally realising that they have a voice, a voice that can trump an unscrupulious government if they allow it to be heard! I myself have participated in several rallies / marches and some have said that it wasnt my fight because of my race - I strongly detest such views - because it is the fight of all. A united front!
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
