Leadership, that elusive trait of individuals in many sectors of our society, needs to be nurtured, developed and maintained so that people can have confidence in their existence. Leadership is not about control but it is about being in control. As one would say about the erstwhile Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler OR our own African dictator from Uganda,Idi Amin.Those guys tried to control everything but they were both not in control of the situation in their countries. One would say something to the contrary about Winston Churchill and also our own leader of the ANC in exile, OR Tambo. OR rose above any personal aspirations to become one of the best leaders of the ANC at the most of trying times. He was one of those leaders who always had his eyes on the ball so to speak and this is evident in the way he handled any crisis situation that tried to rear its ugly head in the movement. He never acted radically or aggressively but ensured that at the end of the day, the organization is led soberly and harmoniously. He tries by all means to ensure that whatever differences comrades had, but the fundamental issue within the movement was unity.
The ANC is still fortunate to have a leader who is almost in the same mold as OR and Rolihlahla,the leader by the name of Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma.Ubawo uMsholozi ukutsho.When the succession debate was being raised both in the public and in this forum, I think comrades fear that there may be some notion of the perishing of leadership within our movement. The past 15 years or so nearly saw to the demise of the leadership core within our movement.Yes,former President Thabo Mbeki is an intelligent leader but in terms of what I have defined above, he did not fit well. The ANC nearly got destroyed under his leadership. Those that were with him in that strategy decided to form a breakaway party. He did not always have his eyes on the ball OR perhaps his was a different ball game altogether. I have tried to define leadership above and mentioned those leaders who led us to the democracy we are enjoying today. Even though that enjoyment is not complete, I must acknowledge that. But leaders are different and the way they deal with issues is also different. In this case I'm referring to that charismatic leader of our movement and former SG of the SACP.He was that kind of leader who would sacrifice his own in order to see people leaving in happiness, in love in peace plus under favorable economic conditions. Bra Chris was not apologetic about those aspirations because he, like any communist, believed that some of the things that I have mentioned have the same meaning as democracy. He believed that you cannot be said to be leaving under a democratic order, whilst you go to school in an empty stomach,barefooted,studing ander trees, whilst there is some person/s with millions, big cars and houses. Like the leaders I have mentioned above, Ta Chris was not radical OR aggressive, perhaps not to his people but to the cruel system of capitalism.that he did not compromise on and was, as I've said not apologetic. May his soul rest in peace and I believe with the current consciousness and revolutionary spirit in our movement, his goal will be achieved. Now comrades coming back to the question of succession and leadership, which is the main issue of my writing here, I concur with President Jacob Zuma that in Julius Malema,we have a leader in the making. The guy can be radical and aggressive when addressing issues, but for the right reasons.Malema knows who the enemy of our revolution is and he tries to address that wherever he goes. He is outspoken. He and has never uttered any word to hurt the people of South Africa.He is a brave young man who is looked up to even by other formations in our society, for instance a Taxi organization in Gauteng who would like to engage him on the issue of the BRT.Instead of some of us trying to engage the young man,we only criticize him,that only shows the type of cowards some of us can be. It is like being engaged by a young man to a debate, who is able to talk sense ion issues.Instead of taking on the guy head on to show that you are older and more matured,you react with emotions and start throwing 9insults into the boy.You do not show any sense of reasoning and logical thinking,which are traits that are non-existent to some of the critics of young men like him. Now I think the ANC and the movement at large must protect this young comrade,who can emrge as one of the greatest leaders the ANC has ever had.Lest we lose him like it happended with Chris Hani. Now at this point I would like to challenge anyone with a view to the contrary and we can take this matter foraward.More especially young and also aspirant leaders of the movement. Amandla!Matla! NB: This email and its contents are subject to our email legal notice which can be viewed at: http://www.treasury.gov.za/Email_Disclaimer.pdf --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
