Durban — The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has strongly defended the late Pravin Gordhan from those attacking him on social media platforms.
Speaking at his memorial service at Kendra Hall in Durban last night, ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma lashed out at those attacking Gordhan, saying their intention was to sow racial and tribal division in society.
Duma said there was a systematic agenda to plant seeds of division and tribalism in society.
“We must resist this as it is aimed at reintroducing racial segregation and isolating certain members of society from the ANC. The attacks on Comrade Pravin Gordhan are aimed at ensuring that a feeling of marginalisation is strongly felt in the Indian community. It is important to point out that no minority community is targeted for isolation within the ANC,” said Duma.
He called on ANC members to close ranks, saying thousands of compatriots in the Indian community had made the ultimate sacrifice but whose names were not prominently recorded in the annals of history.
By all accounts, Duma said, the province and the country as a whole achieved democracy through collective efforts by whites, Indians, coloureds and Africans.
“This evening, we are called upon to reflect with pride on the close working relationship between Monty Naicker and Inkosi Albert44 Luthuli.
“This evening we must remember the dedication shown by comrades such as the late Billy Nair, Comrade Natoo Babenia and Comrade Ebrahim Ebrahim. These were amongst the earliest to volunteer when uMkhonto weSizwe was formed in 1960 and were subsequently incarcerated for many years on Robben Island, together with Comrade Ahmed Kathrada, Comrade Mac Maharaj and many more others. They spent time with leaders such as Comrade Harry Gwala,” said Duma.
He added that the pathfinders of South Africa’s democracy had relied on each other as they waged a liberation struggle and therefore the people of the province and the country must rely on each other for future generations.
He said the people must ensure that they don’t get distracted from the important task of uniting people to build the most powerful province and the country, socially and economically.
“As we bid a revolutionary farewell to Comrade Pravin Gordhan, we salute the brave heroes and heroines who forfeited the comforts of their homes and families and fled to foreign lands to attain training as freedom fighters in order to engage the forces of oppression.”
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