Ramaphosa calls for unity, says ANC must go back to value system

Newly-elected ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says the ANC must return to its roots and draw on the values of its founders in order to strengthen itself. He was speaking at a wreath-laying ceremony for former ANC president John Langalibalele Dube at Ohlange High School in Inanda as part of the party’s 106th anniversary celebrations.

“We want to go back to the value system that guided their lives so that we root out all of the bad things that have crept into our movement and the body politic of our country”

” We are determined to root out corruption in our ranks as it undermines our people. By doing this, we will also be strengthening the ANC,” explained Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa has asked the party’s two factions in KwaZulu-Natal to set aside their differences and to work together for the sake of unity in the organisation.

Rival provincial leaders Sihle Zikalala and Senzo Mchunu have shown a united front during the ANC’s visit to the province on Sunday and Monday. He has referred to Sunday’s event where party Provincial Chairperson Sihle Zikalala and his rival Senzo Mchunu shook hands in response to Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini’s call.

The ANC president was also joined by the party’s secretary-general Ace Magashule, Treasurer-general Paul Mashatile and NEC member Nkosozana Dlamini-Zuma.

Ramaphosa said as President Nelson Mandela did in 1994, who went to report to Dube, the ANC founder, that South Africa was free, he wanted to report that they’ve emerged from the 54th conference and held a successful conference.

ANC commits to women’s role

Ramaphosa says the ANC remains committed to ensuring that women play a significant role in the party and in the country.

The ANC has come in for some criticism for having only one woman in the top six of the ruling party’s new NEC.

Earlier, he has attended a wreath laying ceremony for Albert Luthuli at Groutville near Stanger on the KwaZulu-Natal, north coast.

The ANC president also says the party’s newly-elected leadership is committed to advancing the interests of the people through the economy.

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