This is not one of those pieces of writing that are meant to score political points or to discredit the unbowed soul of the African National Congress. 

It is rather a dusty two cents from an average African kid who believes in the African National Congress and what it stands for. 

It would be tantamount to a child disrespecting the very parents who gave birth to him for me to begin to ridicule the African National Congress anyways. 

That is not what I’m prepared to do at this point, and hopefully what I would never be prepared to do. 

Ever since I became conscious of my being, I have been African National Congress. I can recall the African National Congress regalia I would swag in when I was as young as 10 years old. 

Everything I know and understand about politics I breastfed from the African National Congress. 

The reason why I can pinpoint any flaws within the African National Congress today, is because they have taught me well, such that I can distinguish smoke from smog. 

That is not something I was taught in an alien organisation. 

I understand the African National Congress more than I understand politics itself, that is because of how the African National Congress’ ideology is suitably tailored to what I believe politics should be.

“I believe politics to be a vehicle that serves in giving the people power to BE.”

I am still a member of the African National Congress because of the policies it has adopted, and its ideological perspective to make South Africa a better place. However I sadly feel like my beloved African National Congress is irrevocably sinking!

Ain’t these the same waters it was meant to serve in and stay afloat by?

What went wrong?. Someone has to do a reflection and introspect the mechanics that lead to the snake biting its own tail! 

There has never been a weaker and wretched African National Congress as is today. My beloved organisation has turned weak to its core: its soul. 

The weakness of the soul of the African National Congress is a threat to everything it once stood for, perhaps Still stands for(?). 

When the African National Congress was formed as South African Native National Congress (SANNC) on the 8th of January 1912 in Bloemfontein; with the aim of fighting for the rights of black South Africans, it remained in a state of inertia politically for at least 30 years.

It was in that state due to the intensity of the repression and internal detriments such as lack of funds. 

However what made the African National Congress to endure the state of inertia for such a long period of time without wearing out was the fact that; although it was stricken in so many ways its soul was still very much alive. ITS SOUL IS WHAT IT STOOD FOR:

Its ideological standing, values and principles.

No amount of external pressure or internal deficiencies could cripple the African National Congress only on those basis. 

The African National Congress was a movement everyone was willing to identify with. 

After it was started it soon gained people of different diversities and cultures who were oppressed; because the African National Congress was the hope they could not only see, but feel. 

Although the African National Congress was growing in popularity and relevance; with different movements which were opposed to repression joining it, their effectiveness and presence was not felt up until 1944 when the General himself: Anton Lembede became a founding president of the African National Congress (Youth League). 

The formation of the ANCYL ushered in a new breath; and blood began to run effectively in the blood stream of the soul which had been enduring and staggering for decades. 

The youth brought in ideas and thought process that rejuvenused the African National Congress and the struggle to a higher dimension. 

Soon the African National Congress allied with the South African Communist Party(SACP) to assist in formation of the South African Mine Workers’ Union. 

A national strike that shook white supremacy and repression was ignited. The international community got a chance to be enlightened to South Africa according to the oppressed. 

The ANCYL headed the formation of the armed struggle and Umkhonto Wesizwe. All I am trying to narrate by the above; is the fact that there has never been a strong African National Congress, without a strong ANCYL. 

Hence I assert that the African National Congress has bitten its own tail. When the African National Congress killed and captured the ANCYL it bore a hole on the ship. There, the succession plan of the African National Congress was terminated. 

Most of the leaders who made the greatest strides for the betterment of the people and pushing the struggle in the African National Congress were leaders who came from the ANCYL lineage. 

After the African National Congress and Pan African Congress(PAC) were banned in the 1960’s it is the young people of this country who brought a turnaround in the politics of the day; in 1976. 
The old generation of the African National Congress has failed us, and not only so; they have also silenced us. 

The young people; people who make the most of the demographics of this country, have been sidelined by politics of stomach that were ushered in the by the same generation of leaders that claim have fought the struggle for us. 

Our issues as young people are insensitive to the African National Congress; up to an extent that when we voice them we are taken as a jokes: When we demanded free education for all, Blade Nzimade said we must fall. 

Till we made him to swallow back his words by showing him the definition of fall, in tangible terms. That is the only time we were at least people he could listen to. 

What has still kept me in the African National Congress is its soul, which I however feel is corroding currently. 

My beloved movement is beginning to take a form it once fought against. 

Today we matter-less to the current African National Congress; as the masses. My movement has the courage to sit on corruption like a Hen on eggs, and protect one individual at the expense of the gains of our freedom.

The waters have now entered the ship. The electorate has shown that it does not want to be taken for granted. The power to sink this ship is in the same waters that kept it afloat (the masses). 

I love my ANC, at least there’s still some life to its soul. Who shall save us and take us back to the consciousness of what we stood for, Ramaphosa? God forbid!

Email: mphumzimm@gmail.com

Call: 0726906903

Facebook: Mphumzi Nikuzuko Merciful