By Fundile D. Gade:
For many years, corruption has rightly been identified as a major threat to our democratic project. But today, we must confront an equally dangerous force: incompetence.
These two — corruption and incompetence — are the terrible twins undermining the credibility of a democratically elected government. One steals public resources. The other squanders them. Together, they weaken institutions, erode public trust, and distance the movement from the people it was formed to serve. If we are serious about consolidating the people’s camp, we must fight both with equal determination.
Beyond Patronage and Narrow Politics
The time has come to reject narrow politics rooted in self-interest, patronage networks, crass materialism, and flamboyant displays of power. These tendencies do not strengthen the movement; they hollow it out from within. Leadership must once again be grounded in discipline, merit, and service. When we speak about choosing “the best amongst ourselves,” it must not be factional language. It must mean selecting capable, ethical, and committed cadres who understand the responsibility of governance. Anything less will accelerate decline.
A Warning Sign We Cannot Ignore
Recent developments within the African National Congress in traditional authorities should serve as a serious warning. Gradually and steadily, we are witnessing signs that the movement is no longer hegemonic in some sectors of society that it once led decisively. This is not a moment for denial; it is a moment for reflection. If the people begin to lose confidence, it means something fundamental is shifting. That shift must concern all of us.
Conferences Must Be About Renewal
The upcoming provincial and national conferences must usher in a genuine moment of introspection. They cannot be reduced to contests of numbers and slates. They must focus on restoring the founding purpose of the movement and reaffirming its strategic mission. The National Democratic Revolution (NDR) was never about personal accumulation or factional dominance. It was about transforming society and improving the lives of the most vulnerable. To return to that path requires sober leadership — cadres willing to think anew and act anew.
Public Perception Matters
We must never underestimate how the public views the ongoing commissions and ad-hoc committees examining governance failures. Whether we like it or not, perception shapes political reality. The revolution is, in many ways, on trial. When individuals facing serious allegations appear to speak with authority, public confidence erodes. And confidence, once lost, is not easily restored. We are walking on a thin thread.
The Battle That Must Be Won
If there is one collective struggle we must wage — and win, it is the battle to decriminalise ourselves and protect the integrity of the people’s institutions, especially state organs. This is not about optics. It is about survival. A movement that once inspired hope cannot afford to normalise ethical decay. A liberation formation that accumulated moral authority over a century cannot allow that legacy to be diminished by complacency.
Something must give. If the NDR is to return to its proper course, the movement must once again command trust and inspire hope — particularly among the vulnerable and marginalised who depend most on ethical governance.
The choice before us is clear:
Renewal — through courage, integrity, and decisive action.
Or decline — through denial and inaction. History will judge which path we choose.
Fundile D. Gade is MEC of Education in the Eastern Cape and an ANC PEC member and a Social Activist – @NewsSA_Online
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