Andrew Mlangeni on the ANC, #FeesMustFall and playing golf

Mlangeni describes himself as a loyal member of the ANC. Amid his party's poor performance in the recent local government elections, coupled with the ongoing challenges it faces, he believes South Africa's liberation movement has a lot of work to do. 

He however holds the view that the majority of South Africans were beginning to accept that the ANC was the only party that can truly save the country, including those who were initially opposed to it. This he says is due to a number of factors.

He says the controversy around Nkandla and the Gupta family cost the ANC dearly. "People are accusing the government, especially the president of having sold out South Africa to Gupta," he says.

But it's not only political scandals that Mlangeni is concerned about. He says weak service delivery and the e-toll matter contributed to the poor performance at the poll.

"The government has since acknowledged that they have made mistakes, and we are now trying to correct those mistakes so the African National Congress can retain its position," Mlangeni says.

He also expressed concern over the ongoing protests at university campuses across the country. Mlangeni says he acknowledges students' right to peacefully protest, but adds the destruction of property and violence cannot be allowed.

He acknowledged the call for free tertiary education as legitimate. 

"We sympathise with you some of us, we hear your cases. They are genuine… But do whatever you want to do, don't destroy other people's properties," he says.

Mlangeni says: "You can protest, but let your protest be peaceful and don't touch other people's properties, otherwise you are committing a criminal offence."

He personally condemned the violence saying if the law is broken, police should do their work and arrest the perpetrators.

Justice Minister Michael Masutha this morning confirmed Cabinet's decision to withdraw its membership from the International Criminal Court. He says the Rome Statute hinders South Africa's ability to offer diplomatic immunity to heads of state, particularly in countries that experience conflict.

But Mlangeni believes otherwise. He acknowledges the bias against African leaders saying it is very seldom that the ICC prosecutes white leaders.

"But it means black people are also at fault… people who have become dictators in their own countries… they should appear before court for doing wrong things against the people, for committing crimes against humanity," he said.

The annual Andrew Mlangeni Golf Day is taking place at the Huddle Park Golf Course in Johannesburg today. The event is aimed at developing young golfers and will this year honour sporting legends whose contributions to sport went unrecognised under apartheid.

The list includes late golfer Papwa Sewgolum who received the prize for winning the Natal Open Golf Championship through a window in 1963. He was refused entry into the whites-only clubhouse. Mlangeni described this as a disgrace for the country.

"I want to congratulate the minister Fikile Mbalula for recognizing some of the legends who have passed away," he says.

He adds although Sewgolum, and others have passed away, they should be recognized. 

Sam Ramsamy, former boxer Nkosana 'Happyboy' Mgxaji, former sprinter Cecil Blows and Dennis Burtus will also be awarded with a special Green Jacket at a gala ceremony in Boksburg tonight.