Latest news with #AndileLungisa
IOL News
12-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
A tribute to David Mabuza, the quiet general of principle
Late former deputy president David Mabuza was more than a leader; he was a comrade who rose through struggle, not shortcuts, writes Andile Lungisa. Image: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL By Andile Lungisa, ANC NEC Member In the rhythm of revolutionary time, there are comrades who do not shout to be heard, but who leave behind a silence so profound that it echoes louder than any speech. Today, we pause as a nation, as a movement, and as comrades, to bow our heads and raise our hearts in honour of Comrade David Dabede Mabuza, a giant who walked among us with humility, courage, and principle. DD was not a man of theatrics, he was a man of substance. In a political culture often dominated by noise, spectacle, and self-promotion, DD chose a path that was quieter, but infinitely more difficult, the path of discipline, restraint, and strategic conviction. We did not always agree. At moments, and particularly around the heated and history-shaping 2017 Conference, we found ourselves on robustly opposite ends of internal battles. Our disagreements were real, and I will not pretend they were minor. But I have come to understand that DD's politics were never personal. He stood his ground not to win for himself, but to defend what he believed would preserve and strengthen the ANC. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Even in disagreement, one could not help but respect him. Because his posture was never rooted in malice, it was anchored in a deep, quiet loyalty to the organisation. He believed in the ANC not as a convenience, but as a conviction. And when the dust of internal contest settled, DD emerged not bitter, not triumphant, but loyal. He stood by the movement. Unshaken. Unbought. Ernesto "Che" Guevara teaches us that "A true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary without this quality." This was Comrade DD Mabuza, he was precisely that, a revolutionary guided not by volume, but by vision. Not by ambition, but by love for his people. Not by fear, but by discipline. He was not consumed by uncontrollable ambition. He did not chase positions for their own sake. Even when his name rose to national prominence and the glare of high office settled on him, he remained grounded. And when the time came to bow out, DD did not cling. Like a great dancer who knows when the music is about to change, he stepped off the stage with grace, with his dignity intact, and with his conscience clear. What truly defined DD's political life was his unbreakable bond with the people of Mpumalanga. Alongside comrades like Mathews Phosa, Thabang Makwetla , Fish Mahlalela and Boy Nobela Mahlangu, he belonged to a generation of freedom fighters who did not wait for development to come, they fought fearlessly to bring it. Together, they carried the hopes of a province once sidelined, and turned it into a theatre of transformation. DD's leadership in Mpumalanga was not built on promises, but on the hard, gritty work of delivery. Roads that connected the forgotten. Schools that empowered the previously excluded. Clinics that reached deep into rural soil. He did not govern from air-conditioned offices alone, he governed from the ground, among the people, with the people, for the people. He believed that governance was a sacred act, and that no community, however remote, should be beyond the reach of dignity. Even when his health tested him, he did not retreat into comfort. He campaigned. He served. He endured. Because for DD, to serve the ANC was not an obligation, it was an act of faith. We must say this clearly: he was not perfect. None of us are. But in him, we saw the rare combination of quiet strength, political patience, and deep commitment. In him, we witnessed what it means to wield power without being intoxicated by it, to leave the stage without being pushed, and to disagree with comrades without betraying the movement. Chris Hani in lessons to us he teaches us 'It is not the kings and generals that make history, but the masses of the people.' Comrade DD never sought to be king, but he served like a general, always with the people, always for the people. Today, we say goodbye to more than a leader, we say goodbye to an era. An era of comrades who rose through struggle, not shortcuts. Who knew that unity is not the absence of contestation, but its disciplined management. Who could stand still in the storm and still point north, when others were losing direction. Go well, of in strategy, dove in for development, disciple of unity. May we who remain carry forward your example: of loyalty without arrogance, ambition without destruction, and service without spectacle. * The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Email your views to opinion@ and be sure to include your full name, physical address, and contact details (not for publication).
The Herald
04-06-2025
- General
- The Herald
'Zuma usleg': Mbalula on Shivambu's removal as MK Party secretary-general
Mbalula previously said Shivambu would not last in the MK Party, predicting he would probably suffer from a 'cabinet reshuffle'. He mocked Shivambu's decision to leave the EFF for the MK Party. 'I heard Floyd Shivambu said he won't come to the ANC because I don't want him. I don't know Floyd, I only know him through [EFF leader] Julius Malema's introductions. Please pray for Shivambu. I don't believe he will last a year in Jacob Zuma's MK Party.' Social media users have shared their thoughts on Shivambu's removal. Media personality Dan Corder drew parallels between Shivambu's story and that of Icarus, known for his tragic story in Greek mythology. 'Floyd Shivambu is the story of Icarus. Icarus made wings of feathers and wax so he could fly. This made him think he was more powerful than he was. He flew too high, too close to the sun, though everyone warned him not to,' he said. Former ANC councillor Andile Lungisa expressed support for Shivambu. 'We feel your pain, Shivambu. We know that deep down this decision must be deeply painful for you. As one of those who served with you in the ANCYL 2008 generation, I say this without fear of contradiction: we will never desert you,' he said. Here are more reactions:
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Andile Lungisa condemns DA's legal challenge to Employment Equity Act amendments
The fight for transformation: Andile Lungisa speaks out against the Democratic Alliance's actions Image: Bongiwe Mchunu In a candid conversation reflecting deep concern over recent legal actions by the Democratic Alliance (DA) against amendments to the Employment Equity Act, ANC NEC member and former Youth League leader Andile Lungisa has condemned what he describes as an attack on South Africa's ongoing process of transformation. Speaking to IOL on Wednesday, Lungisa emphasised the importance of constitutional values of equality and transformation, condemning the DA's legal challenge as 'mischievous and provocative,' and a setback to the country's long-standing efforts to redress past inequalities. Lungisa's Perspective on Transformation and Legislation 'Transformation is inherently uncomfortable for those who benefited from previous systems of inequality,' Lungisa stated. 'It requires a radical departure from the status quo, so it often faces resistance. But that doesn't mean we should turn back the clock or undermine our constitutional commitments.' He went further to highlight that the amendments in question aim to accelerate progress toward equality for historically marginalised groups, specifically targeting race, gender, and disability. 'When delays or resistance hinder transformation, shouldn't we, as a caring government, consider legislative measures to fast-track this process?' he asked. Constitutional Imperative for Equality Lungisa reiterated that Section 1 of the South African Constitution explicitly lists the achievement of equality as a foundational value of the new democracy. 'It is a constitutional imperative to pursue policies that promote transformation and equalisation actively,' he emphasised. 'Any legal action that seeks to undermine these efforts is, in effect, an attack on all of us - the people of South Africa." He argued that the DA's court challenge is not merely a legal dispute but a challenge to the country's constitutional soul. 'Our values are the organs of our democracy. When they are threatened, it's a collective concern,' he said.
