The ANC NEC and President Ramaphosa need a talking-to

A meeting of the party's most powerful organ is a gathering of thieves, scammers and clueless 'leaders' who have brought South Africa to its knees. Here's what those attending should hear

- By Fulufhelo Netswera

I have always wished I could get an opportunity to address the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) openly, honestly, no holds barred. I have wished I could address President Cyril Ramaphosa the same way.

I assume this fantasy will not materialise since “clever blacks” were declared persona non grata in the ANC by then president Jacob Zuma. I have not heard any ANC leader revoke that decree, and therefore assume that the status quo holds.

And perhaps it is inconsequential now anyway because the ANC and Ramaphosa himself have little to no power left and are at the door on the way out. But what would I have said to them anyway?

First, I would say that I have never seen such an assembly of thieves and criminals under one roof. And congratulations for bringing all the looters, corrupters and those who are accessories to murder and drug smuggling in our country together, because if we were a functional country, it could make the work of the law enforcers easy.

Here at your NEC, I see gathered all the scammers, from Travelgate to the Arms Deal, Nkandlagate, State Capture, Phala Phala and the Mkhwanazi accused. Need I go further?

Second and importantly, I am extremely disappointed - and so are all South Africans - that over the past 30 years it has not dawned on you that you, the ANC NEC, were at the helm of the nation's leadership. Yet most of you continue to talk in revolutionary tongues as if you are still in the trenches or opposition benches. Most of you still blame apartheid for everything from unemployment and the lack of housing to inequality and the poor progress with land reform.

Apartheid surely can't be part of our DNA; it should be in our history. Do you realise that a moment presented itself and passed without you lifting a finger? Now you have set black lives back generations, so far back that at this rate they have about 100 years to catch up - as if black lives don't matter.