ANC KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo recently delivered a political lecture in which he emphasized the need for collective accountability within the party. He addressed the poor performance of the ANC in the 29 May general elections, attributing it to a lack of leadership at all levels, from the branches to the national structures.
Mtolo pushed back against the notion that the blame for the ANC’s loss of power should solely fall on KwaZulu-Natal. He highlighted the party’s declining support across the country since 2009, emphasizing that the roots of the ANC’s failure run deeper than just one province.
In the recent elections, the ANC secured less than 17% of the vote in KwaZulu-Natal, with factors such as the influence of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party playing a role in the outcome. However, Mtolo stressed that the party’s downfall cannot be attributed to KwaZulu-Natal alone, but rather to a broader issue of internal divisions and a lack of accountability within the ANC.
He called for all leaders and members of the ANC to accept their role in the party’s decline, drawing parallels to Confederate General Robert E Lee’s acceptance of responsibility after losing the American Civil War. Mtolo emphasized the need for honest reflection on the ANC’s shortcomings and a collective effort to restore the party to its former glory.
Mtolo’s comments come in the wake of a letter from ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula, calling for the provincial executive committee (PEC) to address the party’s recent setbacks. The meeting, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed to Monday to allow for further discussions on the matter.
The situation in KwaZulu-Natal has become increasingly tense, with the province’s leadership facing scrutiny for its handling of the elections. Calls for leadership changes to counter the influence of the Jacob Zuma-led MK party have been raised, with the national working committee set to propose recommendations to the national executive committee in December.
Overall, Mtolo’s call for collective accountability and introspection within the ANC highlights the need for unity and a shared commitment to addressing the party’s challenges. Only by accepting responsibility and working together can the ANC hope to regain the public’s confidence and secure its future success.
