Allow me to join the debate, albeit with reservations, with Dr Anthony Holiday ("Block Zuma, or SA courts disaster", May 16). His article proved beyond reasonable doubt that he is a liberal to the core, and bears no allegiance to Congress traditions.

Firstly, it is an appalling myth that the West's views of Africa and its people must be swallowed indiscriminately. And, secondly, that our leaders ought to reflect and uphold capitalist tendencies, thus ignoring Congress guiding documents such as the Freedom Charter, our National Democratic Revolution and the ANC constitution that encourages any members to elect, and be elected, to any position within the ANC.

Notwithstanding his good introductory description of Deputy President Jacob Zuma, which he uses to create an impression of objectivity, Holiday wants us to believe the following is true:

"The deputy president is unable to handle his personal finances." In this sentence, he selectively uses the present tense to create an impression that this is still the case.

That teaching yourself to read and write, as Zuma did, is a disadvantage and that he, therefore, cannot be considered for the country's top position.

That adhering to your traditions and culture is punishable by public crucifixion. The truth is, Holiday himself still follows his own traditions and cultures.

That, to the leading players in the European Union and North America, Zuma represents the unacceptable face of Africa. Holiday wants us to believe that only people who are seen as more capitalistic orientated, and with strong business acumen, are presidential material (such as comrade Cyril Ramaphosa).

He forgets that the West needs us just as much as we need them; we don't need the dependency model inculcated elsewhere in Africa.

Holiday also creates an impression that big business does not deem Zuma fit to lead this country, despite the fact that he has recently been given the responsibility by the cabinet to be a custodian of the country's second economy.

Holiday also selectively portrays our continent as a haven for corruption, but gives no reasons for this problem. It derives its roots from the colonial era and the apartheid regime. He also deliberately downplays the role played by South Africa, Southern African Development Community, African Union, Pan African Parliament and many other African institutions and efforts to combat and eradicate these mistakes.

Holiday wants us to believe that Euro-American perceptions of our future will be at an all-time-low if Zuma becomes president, yet he knows very well that any person who has presidential ambitions must undergo a strenuous selection process and meet certain constitutional requirements.

Also, a Zuma presidency will not act in isolation from the other cabinet ministers and the ANC and its alliance partners. Therefore, Zuma's presidency will not in any way jeopardise the good foundation laid down by the ANC, as led by President Thabo Mbeki and Zuma. Holiday's opposition to a possible Zuma presidency ignores the fact that, in the ANC, decisions are taken collectively and thus leave no room for wayward deviations from the national democratic revolution.

He also does not mention that the ANC is currently contemplating relooking at some aspects of the economy in search of sustainable solutions to high unemployment and low economic growth.

If the claims by Holiday are true that Mbeki is working tirelessly to make sure he gets rid of the deputy president, then the president is also at fault and oblivious of Congress traditions. Fortunately, this is not true.

The truth is, leadership in the ANC is unlike that in the UN Security Council - people do not have permanent seats. Zuma, just like many others, will have to stand the test of time and be subjected to Congress discipline and processes. People should remember that the ANC decides at its national congress where and whether to deploy people or not.

Lastly, being president of the ANC does not automatically make you the ideal candidate for South Africa's top job. This may sound complicated but Congress people will surely understand and agree with me.

I will not argue for or against a Zuma presidential candidacy as Congress protocol and processes have created the correct platforms for this - within the ANC.

Hlaleleni is a member of the ANC Youth League branch in Khayelitsha. The article is written in his personal capacity.

With acknowledgements to Eric Hlaleleni and the Cape Times.