EDITORIAL: Media aside, the ANC is failing
The ANC needs to recognise its revolutionary culture and mythology are a central part of the problem
We are back again at that time of the political cycle when the ANC exhorts its members not to mention the names of the new leaders they hope to see elected at its national conference at the end of the year. It is a futile exercise, which apart from being consistently and repeatedly ignored, drives lobbying underground and creates a fertile environment for misinformation, smears and fake news. A great example was the front-page news in the Gupta-owned paper The New Age on Tuesday, which claimed that it had got hold of Cyril Ramaphosa’s proposed slate, with all 80 of those he wants on the national executive committee as well as his picks for the top six. Was this list the real thing or part of the growing phenomenon of fake news? It has been widely dismissed in political circles as the work of those seeking to discredit Ramaphosa and to drive a wedge between him and those who were notably excluded, such as ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe. But how are members of the public and new...
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.