People who attended a memorial service of the late Lulama Ntshayisa were left pondering a question of whether the African Independence Congress’ founder Mandla Galo is still the President of the party or not. This is after his presence was awkwardly unrecognized by the program directors. Program director, Tsoesani Jafta, who was delegated to welcome the public figures, failed to mention Galo’s name. A member of the party said this was done intentionally” This happened not because Galo was not in the mist but this was done intentionally to render him less important,” said one member of the AIC who is against Galo. United Democratic Movement Member of Parliament, Nqabayomzi Nkwankwa, who is said to have been close alias with the deceased also attended the service.
Jafta made sure he acknowledges all leaders of political parties in his list but Galo. Members of the AIC who are close to Ntshayisa told the Informer that Galo is no longer the president of AIC. Spokesperson Mbuyiselo Mfolozi in an interview said members of the AIC took a decision in a meeting in Durban that Ntshayisa must be the Acting President while some of the disputes are dealt with in court.
In his tribute, Nkwankwa described Ntshayisa as a person who would crack a joke during difficult times and people would lough and forget about their squabbles” He was a leader who would apologise when he made a mistake,” said Nkwankwa
Galo stormed out of the service after Nkwankwa made his tribute. Commenting about the party not acknowledging him, Galo said he was not bothered at all “What were you expecting from Ntshayisa‘s faction, I knew that was going to happen. I am still the president of the organization until the court pronounces otherwise,” he said.
Ntshayisa is going be buried at Maluti location in Matatiele Eastern Cape.
