In a recent interview with Newzroom Afrika, Jacob Zuma, the former president of South Africa, reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the African National Congress (ANC).
Despite his current leadership role within the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, Zuma emphasized his lifelong commitment to the ANC. This declaration is critical as the nation prepares for the forthcoming elections.
Zuma’s dedication to the ANC is not just rhetorical but deeply personal and historical. He recounted his significant sacrifices for the party, including his willingness to face imprisonment and exile.
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“I’ve sacrificed my life. I was ready to die. I went to prison. I went to exile and some of the people who are leading they don’t even know what exile is all about. They don’t know, they’ve never been in prison.
“I have contributed to this ANC. If you listen to my terminology , I said I will die in the ANC,” Zuma said,
These experiences, Zuma believes, set him apart from many of the current leaders who have not endured similar hardships. His statement, “I will die in the ANC,” is a powerful testament to his enduring loyalty and the profound connection he feels towards the party.
He highlighted his contributions to the party’s struggle against apartheid and his continued commitment to its values and principles. This deep-rooted connection to the ANC is a defining aspect of Zuma’s identity and political philosophy.
Former President Jacob Zuma is adamant that he will die in the African National Congress (ANC)… Video: Newzroom Afrika #JacobZuma #MKParty #ANC #SAElections2024 @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/wawfyBod2l
— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) May 27, 2024
The political landscape within the African National Congress (ANC) has been notably affected by Jacob Zuma’s recent actions, particularly his vocal support for the MK party.
This support has sparked controversy and placed Zuma at the centre of a disciplinary hearing for allegedly breaching the ANC’s stringent party rules.
According to the charges, Zuma violated the ANC constitution by publicly endorsing the MK party and appearing on its candidate list, actions that starkly contradict his membership within the ANC.
Rule 25 of the ANC constitution is clear in stating that any member who fails to campaign or vote for the ANC commits a breach of the party’s regulations. Zuma’s endorsement of the MK party, therefore, is seen as a direct contravention of this rule.
Despite the clear violation, the party has refrained from expelling Zuma outright. This hesitancy can be attributed to the protracted nature of the disciplinary process, which is often fraught with procedural complexities and potential delays.
Moreover, there is an underlying concern within the ANC about the possible repercussions of expelling Zuma, particularly in terms of inciting violence among his staunch supporters.
Jacob Zuma has publicly accused the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) of deliberately preventing him from sharing his views on the public platform.
“I don’t understand what is happening. I last heard this during the very hard days of apartheid. Many people were not allow to speak, they were actually [burned],” Zuma said.
This accusation stems from an incident on May 22, where Zuma asserts that an interview he gave was intentionally blocked from airing. Drawing a comparison, Zuma likened this alleged act of media suppression to the censorship practices prevalent during the apartheid era.
The SABC, however, has firmly denied these allegations. In a statement, the broadcaster emphasized its commitment to impartial and comprehensive reporting.
“The SABC would like to state that the allegations are not true, as from the formation of Mr Zuma’s political party, uMkhonto weSizwe, the public broadcaster has covered the party’s activities.
“In other instances, the SABC has contacted Mr Zuma’s team for interviews and there was no positive response, and this did not derail the team from trying and even adhering to the invite from his party to cover its activities, including its rally on 18 May 2024… It is therefore disingenuous to suggest that the SABC has banned Mr Zuma or his views,” said the SABC.
The SABC highlighted that it has regularly covered the activities of the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, to which Zuma is affiliated, and has made multiple attempts to secure interviews with the former president.
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