STEVEN FRIEDMAN: The post-conference ANC — same party with new wrinkles
So the ANC emerges out of the election that was supposed to decide its fate as the same ANC that existed before the vote — with some new wrinkles. Since organisations don’t usually turn into something else overnight this, despite some of the shock which has greeted it, was always likely. The ANC top-six leadership is split once again between its two factions because that was the only way a deeply divided organisation whose election processes are so contested that members can only settle them in court could have elected new leaders.
This is partly so because, as ANC documents tell us, its elections are so open to manipulation that winners are rarely immune from challenges by losers. But it is also so because the ANC is divided. To see how divided, we need only look at the presidential election, which was not the result of a deal. Neither side could agree to let the other’s candidate become president and neither was open to a compromise candidate. So they probably agreed to allo...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.