African National Congress (ANC) veteran Tony Yengeni says he regards the party’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, as his friend and brother despite their public spats and name-calling.
Over the years, Yengeni and Mbalula have clashed several times in public. Although they may be members of the same party, they definitely do not see eye to eye.
TONY YENGENI ADDRESSES ‘LONG-STANDING FUED’ WITH FIKILE MBALULA
Ahead of the former ruling party’s 113th birthday celebrations in Cape Town, Mbalula told the media that Yengeni, along with former member of Parliament Obed Bapela, would be hauled before the party’s disciplinary committee for bringing the party into disrepute.
Mbalula went on to refer to Yengeni as a political casanova and accused him of bringing the party into disrepute using social media.
Speaking on Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh’s podcast SMWX, Yengeni said he was shocked to hear Mbalula speak like that about him because they are friends, and he considers him a brother.
“It’s not the first time he has called me names in public, but I’ve never done it. No matter our differences, I don’t think that’s how we deal with each other. I’ve told him we may differ politically about many things, including Cyril [Ramaphosa]; it’s fine. However, we should retain our comradeship, friendship, and brotherhood despite all these political differences,” he said.
Yengeni said one ought to be firm in asserting discipline, but it must be done with respect. One cannot lead an organisation as big as the ANC through slander, insults, and name-calling.
“I’m not in Mbalula’s age group; I’m far older than him. I respect him for his leadership in the ANC as SG; that’s why I would not name-call him in public, even if he were not a leader. I don’t think that’s the correct thing to do. I think partly it is because we are not cut from the same cloth; Mbalula comes from a different generation.
Yengeni said during his time, before they were deployed in any capacity, they had to be trained to specialise in that capacity, unlike today, when one becomes a member of the ANC, and tomorrow you’re an MP or a councillor.
“That time before you were deployed anywhere, you had to get necessary and requisite skills to do that job. So, the way we conduct ourselves politically and organisationally is different from what is happening today.
“This is not only an issue in the ANC, it’s affecting all political parties, especially on social media. People are conducting their business and politics through vitriol, slander, and insults, which is an expression of the collapse of the values of the national liberation movement,” he added.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT FIKILE MBALULA AND TONY YENGENI’S SPAT?
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