In South African politics, the issue of political accountability has recently been at the forefront of debate, particularly within the ANC party. Bheki Mtolo, the ANC provincial secretary in KwaZulu-Natal, delivered a high-profile policy lecture, calling for collective responsibility within the party and pointing the finger at all its leaders for the ANC’s poor performance in the 29 May general election.
Mtolo opposed the idea that the provincial executive committee (PEC) should be dissolved because of the party’s loss in KwaZulu-Natal in the election. He stressed that the ANC’s defeat could not be attributed solely to the KwaZulu-Natal province, arguing that the party’s decline had started much earlier and had been affecting the entire country since 2009.
There is no doubt that the ANC has lost ground nationally over the years, and Mtolo was quick to point out that the ANC’s electoral debacle could not be blamed solely on the KwaZulu-Natal region. He said the party’s poor performance in the province was a reflection of a larger problem affecting the ANC nationally.
Insisting on the need for shared responsibility, Mtolo stressed the importance of all ANC members and leaders, from grassroots to national structures, accepting their share of responsibility for this difficult situation. He called for a thorough examination of the mistakes made and a collective awareness of each person’s responsibility for the ANC’s decline.
The comparison with Confederate General Robert E. Lee, who took responsibility for the defeat of the Southerners in the American Civil War, was used by Mtolo to emphasise the importance of responsible leadership and the ability to acknowledge one’s own mistakes. According to him, the ANC needs leadership that does not seek to shirk responsibility, but accepts the consequences of its decisions.
In this context, the planned PEC meeting and the possible upcoming changes in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial leadership should be seen as crucial steps towards collective responsibility and a much-needed overhaul within the ANC. The pressure is now on the party’s leaders to acknowledge their mistakes and restore lost public trust.
In conclusion, the issue of political accountability is paramount in the process of rebuilding the ANC and restoring its credibility in the eyes of the electorate. Only a collective awareness and a sincere desire to change things will allow the party to regain its past greatness and meet the expectations of those who have placed their trust in it.