EVER since the announcement of the “Vote No” campaign a number of individuals and organisations have voiced their opposition to the campaign.
While some have been measured in their response and have focused on why they disagree with the campaign, others have tried to impugn the dignity of some of the individuals involved.
Ronnie Kasrils and Nozizwe Madlala Routledge have had insults thrown at them by the ANC and its leagues as well as its alliance partners, with no attempts being made to respond to the issues they have raised.
Those joining the bandwagon in branding Red Ronnie an idiot and other names should take a moment to reflect on his contribution to the struggle for liberation in our country.
And it is not as if he has now committed treason. Were it so, he would have been arrested.
So the truth must be he is simply exercising one of the many rights he fought for. But in exerting this right, he has committed a cardinal sin – that of distancing himself from some of the atrocious behaviour displayed by some in the ANC, behaviour which continues without any sanction. This has led him and his colleagues to conclude the ANC itself condones such activities.
During apartheid Ronnie, working with Chris Hani, stood by many in KwaZulu-Natal, the Ciskei and in hostels on the East Rand of Gauteng, helping arm or train them as part of self defence units when some who are now ANC ministers were with the National Party turning a blind eye to the killings in these areas.
Ronnie was one of the few who went to visit Chris when he was banished by the NP from the Republic, even though he was himself a wanted man.
Twice we went with him leading marches in Bhisho calling for free political activity, freedom of speech and the right to belong to a party of one’s choice.
He was there in support of the people of the Border region who were calling for the reincorporation of the Ciskei and the resignation of Oupa Gqozo, the then Ciskei Bantustan ruler.
When we were attacked by the Ciskei and SADF forces he was there with the masses while some were against such action as it was not in keeping with the Codesa spirit.
Today we are told by ANC secretary- general Gwede Mantashe that Ronnie, who together with a group went through an opening in the fence at Bhisho, was not one of the daring heroes of our people, but was reckless. I wonder if Cyril Ramaphosa, who is now the deputy president of the ANC, shares this newly found revelation since he was part of the march together with Jay Naidoo, Steve Tshwete and Joe Slovo.
After the arrest of Siphiwe Nyanda, Charles Nqakula, Dipuo Mvelase, Mac Maharaj and others for Operation Vula by the apartheid regime, Ronnie went underground once more and surfaced at a packed FNB stadium as part of the activities of the SACP. For once Mantashe may be correct about Ronnie’s risky behaviour, but he was certainly not reckless. He risked his life and arrest to be there with the masses in celebrating the first ever open rally of the SACP since its banning in the ’50s.
While many will say nothing against the Israeli occupation of Palestine for fear of the wrath of certain powerful Jewish individuals, Ronnie stands with the Palestinians even though he is of Jewish descent.
One of the lame excuses used by Essop Pahad against Ronnie’s involvement in the “Vote No” campaign is that one cannot participate in the “Vote No” campaign and at the same time engage in the campaign for the liberation of Palestine.
How this harms the campaign save for the fact the ANC may henceforth shun Ronnie escapes me.
The same is true of Nozizwe.
She was part of the leadership that helped rebuild the ANC and SACP structures in KZN while many who are now “heroes” were still working with Inkatha and attacking and killing our people.
This is the same person who was praised, correctly so, for refusing to cover up health problems in the Eastern Cape.
The rot she exposed still leaves a stench in the province. Mantashe as national chair of the SACP was among those who sang her praises.
When we launched the Gauteng Aids campaign and faced the ire of many who today sing praises to the same programme she was among the few who supported us.
I’m not asserting they should not be challenged, or criticised.
I’m simply saying treacherous or treasonous they are not. Neither are they fools or idiots, but concerned citizens who chose to speak out.
Those who are attacking them are saying they should speak in whispers against the massacre of mineworkers in Marikana, the looting of resources to upgrade the residence of President Jacob Zuma, the hold the Gupta family has on the ANC and the president, in the hope these will be corrected.
If this was the case why have the voices of Pallo Jordan, Mavuso Msimang, Marion Sparg, Zola Skweyiya and Trevor Manual fallen on deaf ears?
For the record, these comrades have not called for a boycott of the elections nor have they called on people to spoil their ballots as the preferred strategy.
They are calling for people to go out and vote, but vote for smaller parties like the UDM of Bantu Holomisa, himself a distinguished leader of the democratic movement, but not the ANC, DA or religious parties.
They have only called on those who can’t find any party worthy of voting for to still go out but to spoil their ballots as it too will be counted.
These are hardly the actions of people who do not love their country – instead they have put South Africa first.
Neither are these the actions of people who do not think democracy and the right to vote is an important victory of the liberation struggle. It is more a cry by people who do not want to sit idle while the country slides into anarchy.
In fact, they are responding in the same way they did while fighting apartheid yet they are now condemned by others who prefer armchair politics.
I hope many will heed their call and go out to vote for a party of their choice preferably not the ANC, DA or any religious party. This is not a “No Vote” campaign, but a “Vote No” on the ballot if there is no party closer to your ideals provincially or nationally.
Mbhazima Shilowa is a former ANC and COPE member who has now aligned with the UDM
‘Vote No’ campaigners are putting country first
While some have been measured in their response and have focused on why they disagree with the campaign, others have tried to impugn the dignity of some of the individuals involved.
Ronnie Kasrils and Nozizwe Madlala Routledge have had insults thrown at them by the ANC and its leagues as well as its alliance partners, with no attempts being made to respond to the issues they have raised.
Those joining the bandwagon in branding Red Ronnie an idiot and other names should take a moment to reflect on his contribution to the struggle for liberation in our country.
And it is not as if he has now committed treason. Were it so, he would have been arrested.
So the truth must be he is simply exercising one of the many rights he fought for. But in exerting this right, he has committed a cardinal sin – that of distancing himself from some of the atrocious behaviour displayed by some in the ANC, behaviour which continues without any sanction. This has led him and his colleagues to conclude the ANC itself condones such activities.
During apartheid Ronnie, working with Chris Hani, stood by many in KwaZulu-Natal, the Ciskei and in hostels on the East Rand of Gauteng, helping arm or train them as part of self defence units when some who are now ANC ministers were with the National Party turning a blind eye to the killings in these areas.
Ronnie was one of the few who went to visit Chris when he was banished by the NP from the Republic, even though he was himself a wanted man.
Twice we went with him leading marches in Bhisho calling for free political activity, freedom of speech and the right to belong to a party of one’s choice.
He was there in support of the people of the Border region who were calling for the reincorporation of the Ciskei and the resignation of Oupa Gqozo, the then Ciskei Bantustan ruler.
When we were attacked by the Ciskei and SADF forces he was there with the masses while some were against such action as it was not in keeping with the Codesa spirit.
Today we are told by ANC secretary- general Gwede Mantashe that Ronnie, who together with a group went through an opening in the fence at Bhisho, was not one of the daring heroes of our people, but was reckless. I wonder if Cyril Ramaphosa, who is now the deputy president of the ANC, shares this newly found revelation since he was part of the march together with Jay Naidoo, Steve Tshwete and Joe Slovo.
After the arrest of Siphiwe Nyanda, Charles Nqakula, Dipuo Mvelase, Mac Maharaj and others for Operation Vula by the apartheid regime, Ronnie went underground once more and surfaced at a packed FNB stadium as part of the activities of the SACP. For once Mantashe may be correct about Ronnie’s risky behaviour, but he was certainly not reckless. He risked his life and arrest to be there with the masses in celebrating the first ever open rally of the SACP since its banning in the ’50s.
While many will say nothing against the Israeli occupation of Palestine for fear of the wrath of certain powerful Jewish individuals, Ronnie stands with the Palestinians even though he is of Jewish descent.
One of the lame excuses used by Essop Pahad against Ronnie’s involvement in the “Vote No” campaign is that one cannot participate in the “Vote No” campaign and at the same time engage in the campaign for the liberation of Palestine.
How this harms the campaign save for the fact the ANC may henceforth shun Ronnie escapes me.
The same is true of Nozizwe.
She was part of the leadership that helped rebuild the ANC and SACP structures in KZN while many who are now “heroes” were still working with Inkatha and attacking and killing our people.
This is the same person who was praised, correctly so, for refusing to cover up health problems in the Eastern Cape.
The rot she exposed still leaves a stench in the province. Mantashe as national chair of the SACP was among those who sang her praises.
When we launched the Gauteng Aids campaign and faced the ire of many who today sing praises to the same programme she was among the few who supported us.
I’m not asserting they should not be challenged, or criticised.
I’m simply saying treacherous or treasonous they are not. Neither are they fools or idiots, but concerned citizens who chose to speak out.
Those who are attacking them are saying they should speak in whispers against the massacre of mineworkers in Marikana, the looting of resources to upgrade the residence of President Jacob Zuma, the hold the Gupta family has on the ANC and the president, in the hope these will be corrected.
If this was the case why have the voices of Pallo Jordan, Mavuso Msimang, Marion Sparg, Zola Skweyiya and Trevor Manual fallen on deaf ears?
For the record, these comrades have not called for a boycott of the elections nor have they called on people to spoil their ballots as the preferred strategy.
They are calling for people to go out and vote, but vote for smaller parties like the UDM of Bantu Holomisa, himself a distinguished leader of the democratic movement, but not the ANC, DA or religious parties.
They have only called on those who can’t find any party worthy of voting for to still go out but to spoil their ballots as it too will be counted.
These are hardly the actions of people who do not love their country – instead they have put South Africa first.
Neither are these the actions of people who do not think democracy and the right to vote is an important victory of the liberation struggle. It is more a cry by people who do not want to sit idle while the country slides into anarchy.
In fact, they are responding in the same way they did while fighting apartheid yet they are now condemned by others who prefer armchair politics.
I hope many will heed their call and go out to vote for a party of their choice preferably not the ANC, DA or any religious party. This is not a “No Vote” campaign, but a “Vote No” on the ballot if there is no party closer to your ideals provincially or nationally.
Mbhazima Shilowa is a former ANC and COPE member who has now aligned with the UDM
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