A capable developmental state and a professional, efficient public service it’s all there in the 2012 National Development Plan, the 1997 Batho Pele quality service delivery principles and various State of the Nation Address pledges. Except it isn’t, not in real life. A capable developm.
Corruption-tainted ANC leaders – past and present – have collectively been giving President Cyril Ramaphosa the two-fingered salute by showing off their tea parties at the Jacob Zuma KwaZulu-Natal homestead on social media channels. Julius Malema, who left the party taking others of his ilk with him to form the Economic Freedom Fighters, has dropped in to pose, for photographers, with delicate bone china cups alongside the former president in his relaxed attire as has ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule. Don’t read these gatherings as a sign that these ANC leaders, who have labelled themselves Radical Economic Transformation champions, will break away to form their own party. Susan Booysen, research director at Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, explores the power dynamics within the ANC and expects Magashule and friends to continue fighting from within the party. She explains why, in this article first published on The Conversation website. – Jackie Cameron