South Africa needs a strong, stable and capable political movement, particularly at a time when our economy and society are facing enormous pressures. We need leadership that can inspire confidence, strengthen institutions and place the interests of citizens above political and personal interests.
For many of us, the African National Congress remains an important part of South Africa’s political history. Founded in 1912, the ANC survived some of the most difficult periods in our country’s history.
Through decades of apartheid, repression, imprisonment and exile, it maintained its political identity and ultimately became central to the democratic transformation of South Africa.
That history is precisely why the current call for renewal deserves serious attention.
The ANC’s 55th National Conference placed “Unity through Renewal” at the centre of its programme and acknowledged that renewal must go beyond the organisation itself. It called for a renewed, responsive, well-governed and effective political formation, with a stronger focus on serving communities and improving governance.
Many of us in broader society have heard that call. We believe that renewal should involve all progressive forces and structures that have a stake in building a better South Africa.
But renewal cannot remain a slogan. It must be visible in the conduct of leadership.
One of its most important foundations must be transparency.
Political decisions must be taken within established constitutional processes, with collective responsibility, accountability and respect for the rules.
Leadership must be prepared to explain its decisions, acknowledge weaknesses and correct mistakes.
Recent developments around the ANC’s candidate-list submissions to the IEC, including difficulties affecting parts of the Eastern Cape, should therefore concern all of us. The ANC maintains that candidates were captured before the deadline but that a final electronic confirmation process failed, while the IEC has maintained that candidates who were not formally submitted by the deadline cannot simply be treated as submitted.
Whatever the final outcome, the episode exposes a deeper question: are our political structures sufficiently disciplined, coordinated and stable to manage processes that carry such serious consequences for the organisation and the public?
This is where political leadership matters.
The ANC’s own renewal documents speak of collective leadership, organisational discipline, fighting corruption and misconduct, accountability and rebuilding public confidence.
These principles cannot only appear in conference resolutions. They must be reflected in everyday political conduct.
The same principle applies to government.
Political renewal without governance renewal will not improve the lives of ordinary South Africans.
Renewal must ultimately be measured by whether communities receive better services, whether public resources are protected, whether institutions are respected, whether young people can see economic opportunities and whether citizens can trust those entrusted with public power.
The ANC has demonstrated before that it can survive difficult periods and reinvent itself.
The question today is whether it can once again summon the political courage, discipline and collective leadership required by the moment.
This should not be understood as an attack on the ANC.
Constructive criticism can also come from a place of wanting the movement and the country to succeed.
South Africa needs political leadership with both the courage to make difficult decisions and the humility to listen.
As Nelson Mandela reminded us: “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”
Perhaps that is the essence of renewal: a good head to understand the challenges before our country, and a good heart that never forgets that leadership exists ultimately to serve the people.
Renewal must therefore be more than a campaign.
It must become a culture of transparency, discipline, accountability, ethical leadership and good governance.
That is not only the responsibility of the ANC.
It is a responsibility we all share in building the South Africa we want.
By Odwa Voyi
Social Entrepreneur and Activist
