In a striking critique of the African National Congress (ANC), Mayibuye Melisiziwe, great-grandchild of former ANC president Nelson Mandela, has voiced his disillusionment with the party, accusing it of straying far from its original mission and African identity. In an interview with TimesLIVE, Melisiziwe remarked, “There is nothing African about the ANC,” reflecting growing frustration within some factions of the Mandela family about the party’s current direction.
Melisiziwe’s criticism focuses on the ANC’s leadership under the Government of National Unity (GNU), asserting that it has moved away from the values it championed during the liberation struggle. “It’s quite sad, especially when you look at it. Even its name, one would say there’s nothing African about the ANC today,” he said, signaling his belief that the party has lost touch with its roots and its commitment to improving the lives of ordinary South Africans.
One of the central points of his critique is the escalating poverty in the country, despite nearly 30 years of democracy. Melisiziwe expressed frustration with the ANC’s priorities, citing examples of government spending that appear out of step with the needs of the people. “Every day poverty rises in this country, but the government, which is the ANC, holds a meeting for R4 billion with people eating KFC while our people are hungry,” he lamented, highlighting the disconnect between the government’s actions and the realities faced by many South Africans.
Melisiziwe also pointed to the dire living conditions in areas such as Khayelitsha and Nyanga, where residents endure extreme poverty and substandard living environments. “One part of me dies because our people are placed in conditions of subhuman existence. The living conditions are not those of a human,” he said, drawing attention to the socio-economic hardships faced by marginalized communities and the ANC’s failure to address these challenges effectively.
His remarks resonate with a growing sentiment among South Africans who feel disillusioned with the ruling party’s governance, particularly its inability to address systemic issues like poverty and inequality. Melisiziwe’s pointed critique is a call for the ANC to reevaluate its policies and reconnect with the needs of the people it was founded to serve.