Naledi Pandor: Gertrude Shope Saw the Corruption That Weakened the ANC’s Morality

When ANC veteran Gertrude Shope, affectionately known as Ma Shope passed away in May at the age of 99, South Africa lost not only a freedom fighter but also a fierce guardian of political morality. At a packed memorial lecture in Pretoria North, former International Relations Minister Dr Naledi Pandor painted a picture of Shope as a leader who celebrated progress but also warned of the cracks forming within her beloved ANC.

“She Knew of the Corruption”

Pandor didn’t hold back. Speaking at the Akasia Community Hall, she told mourners that Shope had been painfully aware of how corruption had dragged ANC leaders’ morality “down from the heights of revolutionary service.”

“Sadly, she knew of the failures in local government, the weak capacity in our public service, and the erosion of the ANC’s character as the leader of society,” Pandor said. “She was worried about those who placed themselves above the organisation and pecked away at revolutionary traditions.”

Her words struck a nerve in a week when social media was already flooded with debate about whether the ANC of 2025 still reflects the values of the liberation movement. On X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote: “Ma Shope was watching when the ANC fell apart. That’s the saddest part.”

A Lifelong Fighter

Shope’s life story embodies resilience. From her role as a commander in uMkhonto weSizwe to becoming the first president of the re-launched ANC Women’s League in 1991, she never stopped pushing for justice and equality. Even into her late 90s, Pandor recalled, she continued offering advice on South Africa’s democracy.

“She never said, ‘I am tired, I have nothing to say,’” Pandor reminded the crowd. “She was active and aware, right until the end.”

Former International Relations Minister and ANC veteran Dr Naledi Pandor said the late former ANC Women’s League president Getrude Shope knew of the corruption that had dragged down ANC leaders ‘morality.” @TheCitizen_News #GertrudeShopeLecture #NalediPandor pic.twitter.com/PWqcK77nKI

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ANC Renewal and a National Dialogue

Pandor used the lecture to issue a challenge: the ANC needs renewal. “We have lost the glory. We need the renewal,” she said bluntly. According to her, Shope would have welcomed the National Dialogue initiative, seeing it as an opportunity to restore social cohesion and unite South Africans around a shared purpose.

Her remarks echoed ongoing calls from civil society for the ANC to return to its founding principles. For many in the audience, it was a sobering reminder that Shope’s generation of leaders measured success not by personal wealth but by service to the people.

Standing for Justice, At Home and Abroad

True to her internationalist roots, Shope’s concerns weren’t limited to South Africa. Pandor reminded attendees that Shope would have been appalled at Israel’s actions in Gaza, drawing parallels between Shope’s own fight against apartheid and the resilience of Palestinian women.

“She mirrored the women of Gaza in her determination never to give up fighting for freedom and justice,” Pandor said, highlighting Shope’s lifelong belief in global solidarity.

Why Her Warnings Still Matter

Shope’s story isn’t just about the past, it’s a mirror for today’s ANC. Her warnings about corruption, complacency, and self-interest are more urgent than ever as the ruling party struggles with declining electoral support and a growing trust deficit among ordinary South Africans.

The memorial closed with a reminder: if the ANC is to regain its moral authority, it must rediscover the values Shope embodied, humility, service, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

Because, as Pandor put it, “Mam Shope understood the complexities of leadership. She kept us honest. And she would expect us to keep fighting for renewal.”

{Source: The Citizen}

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