Gavin Watson affair Lindie Gouws

Gavin Watson / Image supplied

Gavin Watson: ANC turn heads with glowing tribute to controversial figure

The ANC’s sanitised statement on the legacy of Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson has left some South Africans pondering if we’re talking about the same person.

Gavin Watson affair Lindie Gouws

Gavin Watson / Image supplied

Gavin Watson has been the subject of an intense media circus on Monday, after he was killed en-route to OR Tambo. The Bosasa CEO smashed his car into a concrete pillar in the early hours of the morning, sparking everything from conspiracy theories to an outpouring of grief.

The EFF haven’t cut a sympathetic tone, and the DA have been quick to lobby for the “quick establishment of the facts”. The ANC, however, have chosen to completely ignore the businessman’s legacy of corruption and bribery at Bosasa – a bad look when the president is implicated in one of his fishy transactions, too.

ANC tribute to Gavin Watson – it’s squeaky-clean:

Although speaking ill of the dead is generally frowned upon, the statement issued by the governing party did enough to turn heads in South Africa. It speaks of Gavin Watson in glowing terms, paying tribute to his anti-apartheid campaigns and philantrophy. Which is more than fair, given the duality of human nature:

“Comrade Gavin Watson made the admirable choice of disassociating himself from the privilege which came with being a white male in apartheid South Africa. His role in the fight for non-racial sports – especially rugby – resulted in one of the most symbolic acts of opposition and discontent against discrimination”.

“Gavin also played a role in supporting many activists and operatives of the MK [the ANC’s armed wing]. He continued his activism and was unwavering in his support of the ANC. His death has robbed communities of a philantrhopist who gave hope and inspired many young people”.

Who Gavin Watson allegedly bribed

But there isn’t one use of the word “Bosasa” in the tribute, as it glosses over the most recent years of Watson’s life. Their version of events is completely sanitised, and when the ANC trump-up these “charitable donations”, it could be argued they mean the ones that have allegedly been given to them and their comrades.

Angelo Agrizzi’s testimony at the State Capture Inquiry detailed a huge web of corruption that he and Watson were able to weave: Jacob Zuma recevied R300 000. Nomvula Mokonyane got beers, braai packs and a hefty sum of her own. Hell, Gwede Mantashe is believed to have got free security updates to his home.

Issues with the ANC’s relationship to Bosasa

But it may be one of the more minor transactions that has done the most damage to the ANC. Watson gave R500 000 to the CR17 leadership campaign, which saw Cyril Ramaphosa elected as party leader. He went on to assume the presidency just two months later. But this association has ripped up Ramaphosa’s anti-corruption ticket.

You can read the full ANC statement here: