Pete’s blog

The Polokwane conference will mark the end of the ANC liberation movement.
A liberation movement has one rallying cause – the struggle, the liberation. The most important question in any decision is: will it advance the struggle? Unity is the liberation movement’s strength; dissent and disharmony do not advance the struggle. The movement’s support base is loyal and strong; anyone seeking liberation will support those who are leading the struggle.
But the ANC is no longer a liberation movement and the change has caught many of the struggle veterans off-guard. The party members are no longer asking how to advance the struggle and are instead asking how to advance their own interests. Personalities have become more important than policies as members attach themselves to those who they believe will best serve their interests. The ANC has transformed into a political movement.
Although we might be sad at the passing of one of the great liberation movements of our time, this transformation was inevitable and necessary. A political movement is far better suited to dealing with the multiple interests and demands of a vibrant democracy. Where a liberation movement needs unity, a democracy thrives on dissent and divisiveness. However, for the transformation to be complete, the voters too need to alter their behaviour. Voters, instead of giving the struggle their unequivocal support, will need to instead consider which political movement will best support their interests. This will complete the democratic circle, as it will then become the politicians’ interests to serve the voters’ interests in order to maintain their votes and keep their positions.
The ANC must now learn how to be a political movement: the leadership should become more open and transparent, and the public needs to be drawn into debates. No longer can the support base at any level be taken for granted. Supporters need to be continually informed of and shown how their leaders are supporting their interests. It will be a hard lesson, but will ultimately breathe new life into the ANC and South Africa’s democracy.