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Khoza exit shows politics a risky world where only the brave survive

MAKHOSI Khoza’s resignation from the ANC is a damning indictment of the governing party. It reflects the deepest level of frustration at the extended demise of ethical governance in the country, and calls into question whether the ANC in its current composition can ever be rescued.

But Dr Khoza’s resignation is also a sad day for the country. In turning her back on the ANC, she leaves a political vacuum within her caucus. When a reformer - and maverick - deserts a powerful ruling political entity, no one is really the winner. The ANC has lost a conscience. It has lost an outspoken proponent of clean government. It has lost an articulate voice in a sea of malfeasance.

While one can never underestimate the cruel toll that death threats take on political players seen as upsetting the status quo in South Africa, her resignation coming less than four months before the ANC’s elective conference suggests a depressing view that even a change of national leadership towards to Ramaphosa's faction will be insufficient to turn the party - and South Africa - around.

One would have imagined that with such a closely-fought leadership contest and the better-than-average chance of a pragmatic centre emerging victorious, Dr Khoza would have seen fit to remain on, as unpleasant (and risky) as it might be until December. With this decision, she undermines the role of a reformist element already active within the ANC – without even giving it a chance at a December victory.

Her departure also removed a vocal opponent of President Jacob Zuma from within the caucus – ironically of her own choice, rather than being dismissed by the president for party insubordination. It’s an action that does not really help anyone in the short term, as a voice of reason is lost at a critical juncture.

With the more pragmatic faction requiring an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ approach from caucus colleagues willing to lobby for Ramaphosa, this removed an important player and will be welcomed by the president’s own support base and his anointed successor.

Similarly, Dr Kohza’s exit is also a demoralising blow to other ANC reformers. As they withstand personal threats and other indignities from within, there is a danger that the moderates could just dissolve outside the ANC and in so doing, denude the party of a broader swathe of honourable representation.

When the going gets tough for those with a conscience, they may leave to seek more secure options in more peaceful environs of commerce or industry. This can leave the ANC cleansed of this group and free to pursue and perpetuate current ills.

Indeed, Dr Khoza’s departure is also a signal for responsible and modern younger blood who still see the ANC as an attractive political home to remove themselves from political activism. All political parties need a thriving youth wing or younger professionals with skills to take their movement and the country further. This resignation is a clarion call to those who fall into this category to avoid the ANC – and stay on the sidelines, at least for the moment.

The corollary of this is if a political movement as strong and historically significant as the ANC cannot hold onto a person of the skill and stature of Dr Khoza, it certainly is not the political home for me. The resignation therefore errs on assisting those insiders keen to enhance their grip on power for the wrong reasons to make gains.

But there is one important political caveat to this critique. If Dr Khoza’s resignation is but a preface in the unfolding book of South Africa’s political future, it may be seen as an early catalyst for a much-needed political realignment.

If Dr Khoza does not remain in the political wilderness and actively contributes to a new movement for change across the existing party divide, she can become a real part of South Africa’s history yet to be written. She can work outside the emotionally charged parliamentary environment to forge not only new alliances but important policy shifts for a variety of existing political parties. She can act as an interlocutor for the future to secure a different approach to governance.

At the time of writing, she has given no indication of her own future role. But should she be lost as part of South Africa’s political trajectory, she will be doing the country a disservice.

Politics in South Africa is increasingly becoming a theatre of life and death. It’s a dangerous environment in which only the brave will survive. It would be a sad day if those with a conscience take a back seat for those with nefarious intent.

  • Daniel Silke is director of the Political Futures Consultancy and is a noted keynote speaker and commentator. Views expressed are his own. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielSilke or visit his website.

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