Magasela Mzobe: A dictator? Im thinking how strange it is that different people can have completely different opinions about the same person. When I read status updates of some ANC Youth League members about Magasela Mzobe, the current national Coordinator of the National Task Team and most likely, incoming president, I realise how diametrically opposed they are to my views of him. When the nation held its general elections on the 7th of May, I was voting for the very first time in my life. The sense of responsibility that had preoccupied my thoughts in the months leading up to the elections came to an end as I stood behind a voting booth and cast my vote on the two ballot papers Id been presented with upon entry into the voting station. I had vowed to myself that Id cast a vote I would be able to defend when I look back at my life 20 years from now. On that evening, at exactly 22h07, I sent an SMS to Magasela. I quote it in verbatim: Bhuti, Ive voted EFF on both ballots. It was a tough decision but I dont regret it. I have many issues with EFF and its leadership specifically, but I couldnt vote otherwise, because it would betray the very reason I was part of starting EFF. We went on to discuss the issue and ended off by re-affirming that no matter which side of the political divide we stand on, no matter how diametrically opposed our views are, we shall remain as close as we are. This commitment has not and is unlikely to be betrayed. Magasela remains a brother to me, someone I can talk to about all things political and personal. Almost everyday, Im on the phone with this man, discussing academic issues, family dynamics, relationship challenges and so on and so forth and stuff like that. Because of how I relate to him and the kind of person I know him to be, it is very difficult for me to reconcile the reality that in some spaces, hes viewed as an intolerant person who suppresses other peoples views. This is a man in whose office I walk into and tell him why EFF is important, and who will argue otherwise. Literally every time Im back home in Joburg, I go to Luthuli House, sit on that couch in his office and differ with him decisively. But he will at the end of the day, move mountains for me. I guess we know the same people differently. This intolerant Magasela thats being spoken about is foreign to me. But then, this tolerant Magasela Im speaking about might be foreign to others too.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 20:45:06 +0000