ID :
26936
Tue, 10/28/2008 - 01:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/26936
The shortlink copeid
Mandela retreats, won't campaign for ruling A.N.C.
Durban, Oct 27 (PTI) Amid tensions brewing between ruling
African National Congress (A.N.C.) and its breakaway faction,
former South African President Nelson Mandela has made it
clear he would not campaign for the the party in next year's
general elections, as he had "retired" from active politics.
"Mandela has on several occasions expressed his wish to
be allowed to retire fully from public life and more recently
not to be drawn into politics," Chairman of the Nelson Mandela
Foundation, Professor Jakes Gerwel, Monday said.
"He is a lifelong member of the A.N.C., an organisation
to which he dedicated his life. He has every reason to believe
that the leadership of the organisation will respect his
wishes, making speculation about his involvement in the
election campaign superfluous," Gerwel said.
Amid tensions brewing between supporters of A.N.C. and
that of the splinter group, led by former Defence Minister
Mosioua Terror Lekota, newly-elected President Kagelma
Motlanthe, who replaced Thabo Mbeki, has called on A.N.C.
supporters not to interfere or disrupt meetings held by Lekota
and his fellow supporters.
"Actions like this give us a very bad image," President
Motlanthe told the national S.A.B.C. news in an interview
Monday.
"When you create chaos you undermine the confidence of
the people of South Africa and you also dent the image of the
country. We have to show that we tolerate political
differences and that all people have a right to freedom of
association and freedom of expression. We are going into
elections and I call on all sides to behave and act
responsibly," he said.
Leader of the ruling A.N.C., Jacob Zuma, who is widely
being expected to be elected the president after the general
elections next year, also called for political tolerance. He,
however, warned Lekota's supporters not to provoke A.N.C.
members.
The political split in the A.N.C. came to the fore nearly
two months ago when President Mbeki was sacked by the A.N.C.
Several cabinet ministers, including Lekota, resigned in
protest. PTI S.B.
RKM
African National Congress (A.N.C.) and its breakaway faction,
former South African President Nelson Mandela has made it
clear he would not campaign for the the party in next year's
general elections, as he had "retired" from active politics.
"Mandela has on several occasions expressed his wish to
be allowed to retire fully from public life and more recently
not to be drawn into politics," Chairman of the Nelson Mandela
Foundation, Professor Jakes Gerwel, Monday said.
"He is a lifelong member of the A.N.C., an organisation
to which he dedicated his life. He has every reason to believe
that the leadership of the organisation will respect his
wishes, making speculation about his involvement in the
election campaign superfluous," Gerwel said.
Amid tensions brewing between supporters of A.N.C. and
that of the splinter group, led by former Defence Minister
Mosioua Terror Lekota, newly-elected President Kagelma
Motlanthe, who replaced Thabo Mbeki, has called on A.N.C.
supporters not to interfere or disrupt meetings held by Lekota
and his fellow supporters.
"Actions like this give us a very bad image," President
Motlanthe told the national S.A.B.C. news in an interview
Monday.
"When you create chaos you undermine the confidence of
the people of South Africa and you also dent the image of the
country. We have to show that we tolerate political
differences and that all people have a right to freedom of
association and freedom of expression. We are going into
elections and I call on all sides to behave and act
responsibly," he said.
Leader of the ruling A.N.C., Jacob Zuma, who is widely
being expected to be elected the president after the general
elections next year, also called for political tolerance. He,
however, warned Lekota's supporters not to provoke A.N.C.
members.
The political split in the A.N.C. came to the fore nearly
two months ago when President Mbeki was sacked by the A.N.C.
Several cabinet ministers, including Lekota, resigned in
protest. PTI S.B.
RKM
