Thuma Mina - an Isaiah 6:8 perspective in crossfire with Step-aside: SA ruling party’s moral restoration efforts

Abstract

This article builds on the excellent article by Prof. Kgatle and Mashau who examined the prospects and success of the presidency of Cyril Ramaphosas by reflecting on the concept of Thuma Mina. In this article, Ramaphosas Thuma Mina's manifesto is placed in the same restorative context as the implementation of the African National Congress (ANC) step-aid resolution. Almost 27 years of democracy today since the ANCs came to power in South Africa in 1994, and yet members' moral values continue to decline, as reflected in Gwede Mantashe's devastating Organizational Diagnostic Report. This paper reflects the concept of Thuma Mina at Isaiah 6: 8 as redirected into politics by Cyril Ramaphosa to fight corruption in collaboration with the resolution of the 54th Conference. The Thuma Mina Group's implementation of StepAside threatened the unity of the ANC when the then suspended ANC General Secretary suspended his own suspension to suspend ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa. If the Magashule group succeeds in flaunting the party rules and rejecting the Step-Aside policy, this will lead to a political catastrophe. This paper uses two disciplines (theology and politics) to shed light on the prospects of Thuma Mina as advocated by President Cyril Ramaphosa, along with the fair implementation of the ANC's Step Aside resolution. This study is important as it provides a more concise understanding of the concept of Thuma Mina campaign.