By OBAKENG MAJE
Residents of Mokgareng village, near Taung are divided in who should lead them as the new ward councillor in the next Local Government elections on 27 October 2021. This comes after the ANC in ward 7, elected Mmoloki Mojaki as its candidate.
However, this sparked the debate after some residents accused Mojaki of being ill-disciplined and alleged that he lacks the veracity and empathy to lead. They also accused him of assaulting the village chief, Kgosi Victor Ntokwe back in 2019.
According to Ntokwe, Mojaki and some of community members were ‘rebellious’ and against developments in the area.
“I was shocked to hear that Mojaki is at the forefront of becoming our councillor. I call on ANC to elect leaders who have the ability to lead. All leaders of the party should be elected through the eye of a needle.
“Unfortunately, Mojaki does not have all these capabilities. He once assaulted me after they were against a multi-million project at Mokgareng High School. I was so dejected to be assaulted by one of our own. He is also self-centred and we do not need people like him,” said Ntokwe.
ANC spokesperson in ward 7, Vela Ntuli was reluctant to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, Mojaki answered our call, but said: ‘Ok, realeboga’ before hanging up…..after realising that he was speaking to a journalist.
He also failed to respond to our text messages and his phone constantly rang unanswered.
ANC Deputy Secretary-General, Jessie Duarte said in a statement: “The preferred candidates still have to be vetted and screened by the Provincial List Committee and approved by the extended PEC and extended NEC.
So, the final decisions will be made by a community vote, after community meetings in all VDs where the majority of voters voted for the ANC. We need to respect people’s voice, so that we can honestly say that our candidates are the people’s choice.”
Duarte said the deadline for nomination of candidates by BGMs has been communicated by Electoral Committee, to be followed by community meetings and then the community vote.
The writer at www.blogs.myleader.in, Peter Drucker said a political leader should be a public servant who works for the betterment of society. Drucker further said leader is elected by the members of the society by casting votes.
“A political leader requires ‘statesmanship’ as opposed to just being a ‘politician’ – this means having the integrity and willingness to stand up for what is right, even if it means resigning a position in government or losing an election.” he said.
Higher Education Transformation Network Deputy Executive Director, Orapeleng Matshediso shared the same sentiments. Matshediso said, as the ANC starts with the elections of branch, regional and provincial leadership at conferences, members must elect selfless and rooted leaders who adhere to the ANC membership declaration and understand the aspirations and the plights of the masses.
“History bestows upon us members and leaders of the ANC to learn and use the leadership traits of the late Walter Sisulu, the ANC constitution, which is through the eye of a needle method.
“To nominate candidates for local government elections and other leadership positions at various level of the organisation, remember, the renewal, rebuilding and unity of the ANC cannot be postponed any longer,” said Matshediso.
He further said the society is becoming impatient with the ANC, therefore, they need to heed to its clarion call of being led by the renewed and united ANC.
Matshediso added that it is quite evident people like Sisulu has never acted in the manner that tarnished the image and integrity of the ANC, he was a disciplined leader and a member in good standing until his last breath.
The Guardian 