Nomvula Mokonyane, the ANC’s first deputy secretary-general, outlines the party’s achievements under the Government of National Unity during the 113th anniversary celebration in KwaZulu-Natal. ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane, NEC member Zizi Kodwa, KZN ANC chairperson Siboniso Duma and NEC member Cyril Xaba. | Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers
Under the Government of National Unity (GNU), the ANC has not sold out the people of South Africa and instead it is riding the storm to emancipate the country.
That was according to the ANC’s first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane, who was speaking at the party’s 113th anniversary January 8 statement celebration at Caluza Sports Ground in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday.
During her keynote address, Mokonyane said the party used its 40% of the electorate support to call on those who wanted to work with them, hence the formation of the GNU and Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in KZN.
She said under the GNU, led by the ANC through President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Bela Act - the education law - has been signed.
“Some people said we were selling out by joining the GNU. The proof is that whether they like it or not, Ramaphosa signed. Today we have the Bela Act,” Mokonyane said.
“Secondly, some said no, the NHI - which will improve health and well-being in South Africa - we won’t be able to push it forward.”
Mokonyane said the NHI has been written and it is a law in South Africa and is not up for negotiation.
“We survived the 40%, we regrouped and we were able to defend the gains of our revolution,” Mokonyane continued.
“Another big thing we did was that the land issue caused conflict. In the last six days, the President, again, with or without the GNU, but with the power he has under the South African Constitution, signed the Land Expropriation Act. That’s a major breakthrough.”
Speaking on the sidelines, Mokonyane said the dynamics in the GNU and GPU would be there over time but what was important was that they all signed a statement of intent that indicated that they must respect the rule of law, they must respect the Constitution and that the president remains the head of government.
ANC KZN chairperson Siboniso Duma said for now, the GPU is healthy but like in all relationships, it will have its challenges.
“The DA is said to be powerful, but we passed the expropriation of land without compensation and passed the Bela Act and the NHI when they said it would not happen,” Duma said.
“So all those things tell you the ANC is still in charge. Ramaphosa is strategic and needs a strong collective.”
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za