The Strategic Dialogue Group (SDG), an ANC and Congress Movement aligned national organization aimed at mobilizing and organizing former universities and colleges’ students activists from erstwhile progressive students movements of the 1980’s and 1990’s who belonged to AZASO, NUSAS, SANSCO and SASCO back into the ANC fold, has noted with extreme disappointment the intransigent failure by Jacob Zuma to step down from the office of President of the Republic of South Africa.

This is despite concerted efforts to negotiate a dignified exit by the top officials of the African National Congress (ANC), the Organisation that has deployed him to this high office.

We note that his cynical response to reasonable voices of reason has thrown the ANC and the whole country into turmoil as evidenced by:

• Calls by overwhelming numbers of South African, through various platforms for him to step down.
• Embarrassing revelations at various commissions such as the parliamentary inquiry into Eskom, the constitutional court inquiry into Minister Bathabile roles in the SASSA debacle and the Esidimeni arbitration hearings, which all point to lack of leadership in government and increasing distance between the government and voters
• Continued waste of resources as evidenced by yet another appeal against the high court judgement for the deputy president to appoint a new uncompromised director of prosecutions. This is despite a succession of court defeats suffered by the president on many other matters.
• Alarming levels of disunity in the ANC as evidenced by opposing statements made by the top officials of the ANC, with the secretary general and his deputy contradicting the sentiments narrated by the president on the management of the transition.
• In addition, the serious and embarrassing consequent divisions among the rank and file members of the ANC are left unmanaged, resulting in killings, opposing marches and court cases as each group tries to assert itself.

We believe that the ascent into office by the Cde Cyril Ramaphosa has inspired and captured the imagination of the country and the international community as espoused in:

• The election of the new Top 6 that was met with delight and celebration throughout the country
• The improvement of our currency, breaking the R12 mark against the dollar, a feat last experienced in the pre Nhlanhla Nene period.
• ANC alliance partners and many civil society organizations expressed optimism and eagerness to work with the newly elected leadership to stabilize and improve on various challenges facing the country such as the economy, healthcare, education and other challenges.
• ANC provinces such as the E Cape, N Cape and the W Cape are experiencing sproutings of support last seen during the Thabo Mbeki presidency, which gives hope for the future and 2019 elections as the trust, confidence, integrity and hope are on the rise again under the new ANC leadership.

We therefore call upon Jacob Zuma to vacate the office of the president with immediate effect to provide space for the newly leadership to plan on the economy, restoration of trust and confidence and an ANC victory in 2019. Such an exit must enable President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver the state of the nation address, to inspire the nation with the renewed message of hope and energy necessary to restore the nation to thriving developmental path.

We also call upon the NEC to strongly investigate the behavior of the SG and his deputy and bring charges against them should they be found to have undermined and transgressed the code of conduct and the constitution of the ANC.

                                                                                                     
Mangaliso Mahlaba                                                                    Billy Ramokgopa
Secretary                                                                                       Chairperson
 

Issued by Strategic Dialogue Group