Hanging Out with Mdumiseni Ntuli: 'We must serve our people wholeheartedly'

A "rising star" within the African National Congress (ANC), the party's Chief Whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli grew up in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) during turbulent times, characterised by violence between the ANC and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).

In response to a question about his constant calm and rational behaviour, Ntuli shared where the inspiration for that originated.

"One of the lessons I have taken to heart is what I read as having been said by one of our first secretary-generals, Walter Sisulu... when the ANC decided to elect him as SG, he decided that he's going to leave 'Walter Sisulu' at home, and take the 'ANC Secretary-General' to the ANC office. For me that was one of the profound lessons."

Ntuli says he is also greatly influenced by former President Thabo Mbeki.

"I have no recollection of him having gone out to say anything when he's unprepared, when he's not composed, when he has not deeply thought about what he is going to say."

On the challenges the party is currently facing, Ntuli believes an honest approach is best.

"If things are not good, you say them as they are – if they're good, you also do so... and let people judge."

He says it will be a "huge task" (but not impossible) for the ANC to win back the support it previously had.

"It's probably going to have to start with my generation... there are a few things that we have to do differently in order to restore the integrity of our movement. One of those is to serve our people wholeheartedly... and that applies at all levels.

"When you excel at your responsibility, you are giving confidence to the population that there is a future for the African National Congress."

To listen to Mdumiseni Ntuli in conversation with 702's Clement Manyathela, use the audio player below: