Deputy President David Mabuza, in a visit to the Eastern Cape, has spoken out against corruption, ANC internal squabbles and fights over positions, saying the rot is costing the party dearly.
Mabuza was speaking on Friday during a courtesy visit to Western Mpondoland King Ndamase Ndamase in Nyandeni Great Place near Libode, where he reminded people of the pivotal role of traditional leadership in an African and democratic state.
“After the general elections, one of the top priorities of the new government of President Cyril Ramaphosa will be to ensure that traditional leadership is put in the best place ever and their dignity is restored fully,” he said.
The meeting was attended by traditional leaders, ANC members, MECs and government officials.
However, Mabuza left the Eastern Cape without addressing an ANC fundraising gala dinner at Dan’s Country Lodge on Friday night and also the manifesto provincial launch at KwaBhaca on Saturday, due to a domestic issue to which he had to attend.
Platinum tables at the dinner were sold at R500,000 each and gold tables for R250,000.
ANC provincial treasurer and human settlements MEC Babalo Madikizela said the ANC required at least R550m to run its campaign for the 2019 general elections.
At least R13m was raised on Friday night. Mabuza’s visit came less than a month after King Ndamase’s traditional leaders complained to Madikizela that Ramaphosa and his ANC top six had “disregarded and deliberately snubbed” the AmaMpondo nation.
Mabuza said: “You must always remember that the founding pillars of the ANC are the traditional leaders.
“But, erroneously and disappointingly, the ANC dumped traditional leaders and moved alone.
“There are now few people within the ANC who respect traditional leaders.”
When Mabuza was premier of Mpumalanga, his government in 2015 bought 240 cattle and spent R34m on luxury vehicles for its 60 traditional leaders, along with a host of other gifts.
He said that was part of a programme to restore the dignity of traditional leaders.
’’Now I see that all other traditional leaders in South Africa have a burning desire to have that programme I started in Mpumalanga rolled out countrywide.”
He said he would donate a tractor and cattle to King Ndamase.
However, he stressed that this would not be from the government purse.
Mabuza said the ruling party needed to fast-track the issue of land expropriation to ensure food security in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape.
King Ndamase requested assistance for the AmaMpondo to work the land and to participate in the oceans economy and a programme to ensure food security.