The Progressive vs The Reactionary

Committed activists from the historically progressive movement who have worked tirelessly for years without any expectation of reward, except for the love and a desire for a credible movement are under attack because of factional or reactionary behaviour which drives the politics of power. Good comrades often react to a factional position thereby entrenching factional behaviour. Obviously a need exists to remove the root cause of divisions which is no doubt the contestation for power within an electoral system with faultlines that enable factionalism.

Councillors and political leaders often have reactionary dialogues on chat groups and social media only to demand that members close ranks around the unacceptable behaviour of these leaders. Surely members of any political party may close ranks after its members decide on a code of conduct to serve the interests of that organisation.

Reckless and divisive behaviour based on attacks from any comrade, be it on social media or elsewhere, is wedge driving. To promote factionalism goes against specific organisational resolutions.

Let us look at a few issues.

a) The subconscious acceptance of violence within the arena of contestation.

b) The attacks on political adversaries including woman suggest an ugly contestation for PR positions.
This type of behaviour is sexist and demonstrates crude and often vile leadership which is definitely against the values of most organisations, key among which is the need for unity and a desire to transform society towards a becoming non racial, non sexist and non discrimatary in its orientation. All leaders should become the embodiment of progressive behaviour.

c) The lack of capacity of the senior leaders to mediate for unity and peace within structures because they have too much on their plate, they lack the will or simply because of the sensitivities around regional elections.

d) The lack of leadership of senior leaders who sit on chat group and who refuse to hold people accountable to organisational values with regards to progressive conduct. This scenario is surreal to say the least. Factionalists are allowed to say and do anything if it suits the factional interest of a senior leadership. Moral and fearless leadership is integral to organisational growth.

e) Attacks on activists with a political base often divide communities in the midst of efforts to unite such communities. This behaviour will also hurt not only the prospect of unity but the electoral prospects of the said organisation.

f) Any hardworking activist who serves a constituency may contest power. To declare an interest in becoming a political representative leader must remain consistent to organisational guidelines. Ambition is not a crime but contestation must be progressive and based on constitutional values .

f) Autocratic and factional leadership may
still produce a successful campaign in the election of leaders but it will not be a sustainable model of building organisational capacity. Inclusivity is key to building unity. Removing people from chat groups or disempowering comrades from organisational tasks who disagree with a leader demonstrates poor leadership. Marginalisation of comrades through gossip and character assassinations is counter productive, divisive and does not serve the unity project of any organisation.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

I suggest the following;

a) Empower people to resolve conflict through their own efforts at finding solutions. This approach may require training & development for conflict resolution.

b) Utilise mediation only if conflict resolution is attempted and it fails. Imposition of unity seldom works. Warring groupings must find their own sustainable solutions

c) Develop a mindset to work with partners for best outcomes. Progressive partnership with all government departments, the municipality and political leadership of the ruling party, other parties, NPO's and other community structures must be an effective enabler of service delivery and progressive community outcomes.

Let us behave as Oliver Tambo would expect from community & political leaders - to remain connected to the poor masses and to be servant leaders so that leaders can serve a higher purpose of bringing hope to devastated communities after the impact of Covid 19, the looting of July 2021 and the historical systemic effects of large scale poverty in South Africa.