‘Support ANC and prosper’ in line with African tradition – ANC

The ANC has rejected the call by DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko that President Jacob Zuma should retract a comment that businesses which support the ANC will prosper.

In a statement, the ruling party “rejects with contempt” Mazibuko’s call, adding that Zuma’s comment is in line with African tradition.

“It is a sad fact that Lindiwe Mazibuko is so naive when it comes to African traditions that she cannot relate to them,” the ANC statement reads.

“It is our tradition as Africans that if someone gives you something, in return you thank him/her and wish them prosperity and abundance.”

Earlier, Mazibuko said Zuma’s remarks, made during an ANC fundraiser on Friday, “have the potential to severely compromise the principle of good governance, which our constitutional democracy fundamentally depends on.

“They imply that by backing the ANC, businesses will be provided with financial reward, which can only be leveraged through state resources,” she said.

Click here to read our report on the fundraiser.

But the ANC defended Zuma’s statement, saying it was “the only party in South Africa that has economic and business friendly policies. The implication of this reality is that if business wants to proper in South Africa, they have to support the ANC as their prosperity is dependent on the ANC being at the helm of South Africa’s government.”

- City Press