Wilson Johwa
3 November 2008
Johannesburg — THE opening prayer set the tone, justifying the weekend convention on a "stagnating" and "rotting" African National Congress (ANC).
Comparisons were made with the reformist movement of John Wesley and the biblical Moses.
Less clear was whether it was fear of the devil in the ANC or the God in their newfound principles that united delegates at the convention. Repeated many times were ideals such as the protection of the constitution, equality before the law, as well as a desire for electoral reforms. However, only at the launch of the party next month will agreed policies be unveiled.
"What we have to discuss is what these distinguishing features that go beyond paying lip service to constitutional principles are," said Mbhazima Shilowa, tipped to head the proposed new party.
Initially billed for Bloemfontein, where the ANC was founded in 1912, and later for Kliptown, the site of the 1955 people's congress, the convention opened on Saturday to a carnival atmosphere in Sandton, Johannesburg.
A song pleaded for ANC president Jacob Zuma to be sent to the gallows while an ANC T-shirt was stomped on along with Zuma's face emblazoned on a placard. Later, the organisers managed to put a stop to negative tunes.
However words, like "Limeneme (hypocrite) Mantashe" slipped through as delegates headed for lunch.
The finery and air-conditioned surroundings took South African politics to new heights. Lavish teas, accompanied by fancy biscuits, were a far cry from the coarseness of community halls or the tent at the ANC's Polokwane conference last year.
Like a business conference, many of the 6300 delegates registered online, and 2500 hotel rooms were booked for delegations from the provinces.
Organisers reported attempts by the ANC to counter book available hotel space in Johannesburg.
Attendees ranged from representatives of Xhosa kings, to women's representatives such as the exuberant Eldah Ndute, who said the convention was better than the congress of the people -- t he 1955 meeting that gave life to the freedom charter.
Some, like Tumi Mancotywa from Pretoria, ranked among the idealists. Despite proclaiming that "political parties are all the same ", she believed Mosiuoa Lekota and other former ANC leaders would improve on the party's flaws, despite their personal involvement in shaping the ANC.
The conference saw the unveiling of a fiery 29-year-old single mother, Anele Mda, who, as interim youth leader, is likely to counter ANC Youth League president Julius Malema. "We encourage the culture of learning, reading and volunteerism," she said.
Despite the celebratory mood punctuated by ANC-type slogans and improvised songs, the glue of a common understanding seemed tentative and unformed.
However, a sudden outpouring of support for former president Thabo Mbeki, with placards and songs, gave a hint of what the catalyst could be. Further evidence of Mbeki's role appeared to be the presence of his former advise r Mojanku Gumbi, who displayed as much enthusiasm as many of the other delegates. But Shilowa discounted Mbeki's association with the proposed new party.
"Just like former leaders of the ANC, he is not our enemy," he said.
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