ANC Stalwart Stanley Mathabatha Reflects on Party’s Achievements and Missteps as it Celebrates 113 Years

by Hope Ngobeni

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Stanley Mathabatha, a prominent African National Congress (ANC) figure and former premier of Limpopo, recently reflected on his party’s achievements and challenges as it marked its 113th anniversary. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Mathabatha, who currently serves as the deputy minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, acknowledged the progress made by the ANC in improving the lives of South Africans over the past three decades. He pointed to significant infrastructural developments such as schools, hospitals, and roads, which have benefited even the most remote and previously underserved communities. These achievements, he argued, illustrate the party’s ongoing commitment to the country’s development.

However, Mathabatha also candidly admitted that the ANC’s journey has been marred by serious missteps. Acknowledging that mistakes were made in implementing the party’s plans, he expressed regret over some decisions that undermined the developmental vision of the ANC. One key issue he highlighted was the mismatch between the party’s ambitious plans and the practical realities of budgeting. While the ANC initially had a forward-thinking approach, including the visionary Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), Mathabatha suggested that the implementation of these plans was flawed. According to him, the party’s budgeting approach was often more philanthropic than developmental, leading to a disconnect between the plans and the resources allocated to them.

Mathabatha offered a specific critique of the RDP, noting that instead of empowering people to build their own homes, the ANC government opted to construct houses on their behalf. This, he argued, was counterproductive and contradicted the principles of self-reliance and empowerment that should have guided the RDP’s implementation. The choice to build houses directly, rather than investing in initiatives that would allow communities to take charge of their own development, led to a system that relied on external handouts rather than fostering sustainable, grassroots-led change.

Perhaps one of the most profound admissions from Mathabatha was his acknowledgment of the ANC’s decision to dismantle the Scorpions, the country’s elite anti-corruption unit. Disbanded in 2009 following a controversial ANC resolution at its Polokwane conference in 2007, the Scorpions were seen by many as a crucial tool in fighting corruption and reinforcing the rule of law. Mathabatha, who was present at the Polokwane conference, admitted that the decision to dissolve the unit was a significant error. In hindsight, he believed that maintaining the Scorpions could have prevented the erosion of state authority that South Africa is grappling with today, particularly in the face of rampant crime and corruption within various sectors, including the construction industry.

Reflecting on the broader implications of that decision, Mathabatha suggested that the collapse of state institutions like the Scorpions has contributed to the rise of powerful criminal syndicates, such as the notorious construction mafias, which have wreaked havoc on the country’s development projects. These groups, he argued, have undermined the state’s ability to govern effectively, eroding public trust and impeding economic progress. Mathabatha’s remorseful stance on this issue was tempered by the realization that the ANC’s leadership, at the time, believed they were making the right decision. However, with the benefit of hindsight, it is clear to him that the disbanding of the Scorpions was a costly error.

As the ANC celebrates its 113th anniversary, Mathabatha’s reflections serve as a sobering reminder of the complexities faced by the ruling party. While the ANC can proudly point to the progress it has made in uplifting South Africa’s disadvantaged communities, it must also confront its failures and learn from its past mistakes. The party’s ability to acknowledge its shortcomings may be crucial in regaining the public’s confidence and steering the country toward a more prosperous and equitable future. In this context, Mathabatha’s willingness to reflect critically on the ANC’s legacy is an important step in moving towards a more accountable and transparent leadership in the years to come.

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