Morality battle looms in the ANC

A BATTLE of morality is looming between those who are true followers of the teachings of Nelson Mandela in and outside the Tripartite Alliance and across political divides. Already Jacob Zuma has mobilised unknown religious leaders who were absent during the struggle, a Cosatu faction led by Num, the SABC, The New Age, SACP and his family to defend his immoral conduct – they are in conflict with what Mandela stood for between 1944 and early December last year.

Mandela and his peers like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Alfred Nzo, Helen Joseph, Bill Nair, Kader Asmal, Pius Langa, Govan Mbeki, Elias Motsoaledi, Jakes Gerwel, Bertha Gxowa, Adelaide Tambo and young stalwarts like Eric Molobi, John Gomomo, Dumisane Makhaye and Parks Mankahlane died in and with honour and integrity, without dragging the ANC into the mud, unlike Zuma habitually is doing.

I salute ANC leaders and those who have left the ANC for mobilising the nation against the president and his pirates. These include Ronnie Kasrils, George Bizos, Frene Ginwala, Zwelinzima Vavi, Dennis Goldberg, Jay Naidoo and Joel Netshitenzhe.

I salute Bantu Holomisa and Patrick Lekota, of the UDM and COPE respectively, and Dali Mpofu, of EFF. We must also note the stance of Ben Turok, Kgalema Motlanthe, Trevor Manuel and ministers who resigned with Thabo Mbeki for refusing to be co-opted into the corrupt regime of Mangaung victors.

Thanks to Tokyo Sexwale for not contesting his expulsion by Zuma. All these leaders chose integrity rather than protecting Zuma. May we breed many leaders like these.

I wonder how Cyril Ramaphosa, and Num's Senzeni Zokwane and Nehawu's Fikile Majola will defend the money spent on Nkandla. If they say the president was not aware, did he go to Nkandla blindfolded? Did he not ask where his two brothers got money to build the two "relocated" homes?

Gwede Mantashe, Jackson Mthembu and Mac Maharaj were furious that Zuma was being compared to Mbeki, Tambo and Mandela. Can we not be allowed to compare Zuma with Motlanthe and Manuel?

These two tried to live up to the values of Madiba, especially Manuel who spoke against corruption and refused to be silenced by Mantashe when he accused Jimmy Manyi of being a racist towards Indians and coloureds.

Zuma, Maharaj, Dina Pule, Bheki Cele, Cassel Mathale, the Guptas and the Zuma family have hijacked ANC and are transforming it into a "cash cow".

Beverly Adams, Lenasia, Gauteng