The Africanists wanted Jacob Maroga, author of a report on how Eskom was riven with racism, back in charge. The left, more interested in building a powerful state utility that would secure industrial growth, wanted him out and yes, they wanted Bobby Godsell – the former mining boss – back in as chairman.
That’s how it played out last week.
What is very interesting is that the left, driven by Cosatu’s Zwelinzima Vavi and the National Union of Mineworkers, triumphed over the Africanists – South Africa’s emerging new right.
This despite suggestions that President Jacob Zuma’s initial interventions were designed to return Maroga to power. But those could have been actions in keeping with Zuma’s natural instinct to smooth the waters and keep everyone inside the tent.
This is the age-old rift within the ANC that has played itself out through generations of personalities over the decades. The only difference is that African nationalism has faded as a cause because the ANC has been governing for a decade and a half. There are new faces that are advocating a much more strident Africanism that would once found a home in the PAC and Azapo.
The ANC would do well to heed the advice given by voters in successive elections – They have overwhelmingly rejected the ultra-Africanists in favour of parties that advocate non-racialism, still the dominant position within the ANC itself.

Related posts:

1. Now it’s goodbye Bobby, hello Jacob. Eskom runs a tight circus
2. Is the tide turning against Julius Malema?
3. Gwede Mantashe: Finally someone says something reasonable on Eskom
4. Bobby Godsell resignation statement – full text
5. The love child scandal exposes the two faces of Jacob Zuma