The road to the Mangaung (Bloemfontein) National Elective Conference of the African National Congress in December 2012: a political challenge to the Jacob Zuma presidency?
Loading...
Date
2012-06
Authors
Twala, Chitja
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State
Abstract
On 8 January 2012, the African National Congress (ANC) marked the centenary of its existence. Without
doubt, this was a remarkable celebration and achievement for any liberation movement. Despite all
the challenges which faced the Jacob Zuma presidency during these eventful celebrations, the ANC
portrayed a “united front”. The article gives a chronological account of the events leading up to the
ANC’s Mangaung Conference in December 2012. In attempts to achieve this, the run-up events to the
Conference will be traced from the ANC as a ruling party, as well as a political organisation in the
broader South African political landscape. Critical issues confronting the ANC, which include among
others, both organisational and leadership renewal, will be discussed. The eventual release of the
ANC’s Discussion Document on Organisation Renewal in March 2012 after nine drafts was a measure
of just how deep the malaise in the organisation has become, and just how uphill the battle will be to
address the sins of incumbency that beset the ANC. The author attempts at weaving together different
perspectives of the events, leading to the destabilisation of the Zuma presidency and raises pertinent
questions about the role of the media in South African politics. After nearly two decades in power, the
organisation still needs to adopt to the reality of the 21st century democratic South Africa or be left
behind; a fact acknowledged by Zuma at the ANC’s centenary celebration on 8 January 2012 at its
Mangaung birthplace.
Description
Keywords
Mangaung, African National Congress, African National Congress Youth League, Political challenge, Polokwane
Citation
Twala, C. (2012). The road to the Mangaung (Bloemfontein) National Elective Conference of the African National Congress in December 2012: a political challenge to the Jacob Zuma presidency?. Journal for Contemporary History, 37(1), 213-231.