Interesting, really interesting sub-text to the comments made by new ANC President, Jacob Zuma, on the ANC Today website. Here they be. 
SANEF is not happy about this.
A simple point of logic: Given the consistent and overwhelming endorsement that the ANC continues to receive from the masses, why their ongoing concern about media criticism? There's only one conclusion. The ANC is not afraid of our 'whining-white' media influencing their constituents. They still just can't handle criticism - period. They also still can't divorce criticism [go read my article on how to do so], however legitimate, from disloyalty - about which they continue to exhibit a healthy paranoia. That speaks to what I continue to notice: The organization continues in a rut. It is incapable or unwilling to transform itself from a liberation movement into an emotionally intelligent democratic institution.
See the banner from the ANC website and see how it continues to position itself. 'South Africa's National Liberation Movement'. Liberation from what, now? Or are we missing something? Marketing 101 would tell you to do a 'brand migration' and incrementally shift the image of the organization to include a more accurate and better representative ad strapline describing the ANC.
I'm perversely curious to know how erstwhile ANC Prez, Thabo Mbeki's handling the removal of his weapon of choice - this very same weekly newsletter. How is he now going to vilify his critics and slam those not in accord with his out-of-touch and potty views, I wonder? He must feel like he's had an amputation.
African politicians should take a leaf out of western democratic processes. Politicians are a generally stupid and corrupt lot. Wherever they may ply their sleazy trade. So robust criticism, caricatures, muck-raking [they do it to each other all the time!] et al, are part of the stock in trade. Zuma seems not to have grasped this. He continues to sue those [go read this Mail & Guardian online report] who cast the slightest aspersions on his fascinating character. I hope Kgalema Motlanthe and Gwede Mantashe will prevail on their more volatile leader to exercise a modicum of restraint - before the mould is irretrievably cast.
I do hope JZ is not going to follow Thabo's ill-thought use of the ANC today newsletter. When are these guys gonna get the plot? Much though it may stick in your craw, if you raise your head above the parapet, expect some bullets. Otherwise go become a bank clerk. The worst can be a customer yelling at you.
African politicians [I've worked with plenty] have this strange notion of their 'dignity'. They love being called 'excellency'. Respect dear people, is earned. It's commanded, not demanded. Ask yourself a simple question: Has my behaviour been and does it continue to be, dignified? Does it merit respect? If you have a modicum of honesty anywhere in your neural functioning, the answer should be self-evident.
UPDATE: I just love it when political party presidents listen to me (kidding). Just picked up The Times article saying that Msholozi has decided not to write a regular ANC weekly newsletter. D'ya think Thabo might apply for the slot? ;-)
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