I’m unique, Hlaudi tells ANCYL praise-singers
ANC Youth League leaders have been singing the praises of controversial ousted SABC executive Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
“Hlaudi is us; we are Hlaudi‚” ANCYL eThekwini chairman Thembo Nthuli said.
“We want Hlaudi to get into government and lead part of the department so you will see transformation. If you believe what we’re saying is wrong‚ engage us‚” Nthuli said to about 80 faithful comrades at the KwaMuhle Museum in Durban yesterday.
Before that‚ the region’s secretary-general, Thinta Cibane, said Motsoeneng should change his name to “Transformation” because of the work he did at the SABC. He also praised the local content policy rule implemented for the country’s radio stations.
“He’s heading everything. There are many people on that board‚ but we know Hlaudi. You are all we have,” Cibane said.
“We said in Mangaung [at the ANC’s 2012 national conference] we wanted 60% local content. Hlaudi gave us 90%.”
This is the third time that Motsoeneng has been a guest of the youth league in KwaZuluNatal in the last three weeks.
Each time he has been on the receiving end of praise‚ including calls for him to become a member of the ANC’s decision-making national executive committee.
And Motsoeneng has revelled in the audience of his new-found allies.
He started his address saying he was not always like the calm Basotho people from his home province, the Free State. Instead‚ they said his attitude was “like [the] Zulus”.
“I do that because I’m unique‚ I’m a special person‚” he said to applause and laugher.
One member even called out: “He’s the chosen one.”
“South Africa is very interesting‚ because we have been negotiating too long when it comes to implementation‚ when it comes to transformation,” Motsoeneng said.
“The reason why everyone is talking about Hlaudi is because Hlaudi has touched the real nerves of some people‚ which I’m going to touch everyday. Whether I’m a COO [chief operating officer]‚ whether I’m an ordinary person‚ they will feel that touch and that nerve.
“Why do people talk about Hlaudi? Have you asked why they talk about one person in an entire organisation?
“It’s because this individual‚ I’m very radical when it comes to transformation. And I don’t apologise for that‚” he said.
Feeding off the audience‚ who were eating out the palm of his hand‚ Motsoeneng said people were “making noise” because of what he achieved at the SABC.
“If you go to [the] SABC you’ll realise 90% contribution and solution is Hlaudi‚” he said.
And he admitted that he was not one for consultation.
“The SABC is too little for me. I want to have more impact for all South Africans. If you want someone who’s not afraid‚ it’s me,” he said.
“For me‚ I believe that if we implement whatever is going to benefit South Africa‚ I don’t go and consult many people because I know what we want.”
– TMG Digital/The Times
