ANCYL leader wants Hanekom and SACP expelled

The African National Congress Youth League chairperson in the Western Cape, Khalid Sayed, has called for the expulsion of Derek Hanekom and the South African Communist Party from the ANC.

“Derek Hanekom has to be expelled for what he did and the SACP has to be expelled for marching against the President yesterday (Monday).” Sayed was addressing ANC supporters after President Jacob Zuma survived the motion of no confidence. Sayed was the last speaker before President Zuma addressed the crowd. In a way that seemed like he was seeking approval from Mbalula, Gigaba, Mokonyane and Masina, he kept on looking at them as if to check if they approved of what he was saying. It quickly became awkward for the Ministers, especially with the media around, but the Ekurhuleni Mayor, Mzwandile Masina, kept nodding his head in approval.

ANC Member of Parliament Derek Hanekom, has broken ranks and is believed to have campaigned for MPs to vote for the motion of no confidence in President Zuma. On the other hand, the SACP took part in the march by civil society on Monday that wanted Zuma to be removed as the president.

After his speech Sayed shook the hand of MKMVA (uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association) NEC member and former ANC spokesperson Carl Niehaus who was dressed in military garb.

ANCYL leader in the Western Cape, Khalid Sayed addressing ANC supporters outside Parliament. Pic by Mzi Velapi

As Parliament was discussing the motion of no confidence, outside on the street it was a hive of activity. Marches from the ANC and opposition parties were trying to out-stage each other as big trucks with mobile stages were erected in front of the two main entrances to Parliament. Several ANC MPs came out to address the party’s supporters.

Coup, regime change, race and radical economic transformation rhetoric by Zuma backers

The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, said that they won’t allow the opposition to dictate to the ANC. “We won’t allow to be led by those whose father were responsible for the death of Solomon Mahlangu. We can’t be led by Mmusi Maimane, the baas-boy of Tony Leon and we don’t want our democracy to be urinated on by amadlagusha [white people] and we cannot allow regime change,” said Mokonyane who is one of President Zuma’s most loyal supporters.

After Mokonyane it was the Minister of Social Development and the ANC Women’s League President, Bathabile Dlamini. “There are some of us [ANC MPs] who have identified themselves with the enemy and as someone who comes from Natal Midlands where Harry Gwala comes from we believe that if someone acts like an enemy, you treat them like one. My conscience did not take me to Parliament but your votes.” Dlamini said that the opposition, especially the Democratic Alliance, doesn’t like Zuma because he wants to implement radical economic transformation.

ANC supporters outside Parliament during the no confidence motion. Pic by Mzi Velapi

Sexist talk by Kodwa and Mbalula

The ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa and Fikile Mbalula engaged in war talk. They both referred to the war that was taking place inside and how the ANC has won and that there is no place for cowards in the ANC. “Amagwala kulonina,” both Mbalula and Kodwa were heard saying. This means that the cowards must go and be with their mother’s family.

President Zuma addressing ANC supporters after he survived his 8th no confidence vote. Pic by Mzi Velapi

President Zuma survived the motion of no confidence by 198 votes to 177 of those who said they have no confidence in his leadership. Both the ANC and opposition parties have described this as a victory. The ANC has described it as “the resounding defeat of the motion of no confidence in President Zuma and our Cabinet”. Meanwhile opposition parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters and the Democratic Alliance have described it as a sign of Zuma’s loss of support.