By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived at the Pietemaritzburg City Hall to interact with the Regional Executive Committee (REC) and structures in Moses Mabhida Region.
Ramaphosa is leading members of the National Working Committee (NWC) who are meeting with RECs and structures in various regions.
He is expected to address members from the Moses Mabhida Region, Pietermaritzburg, with secretary general Fikile Mbalula set to meet eThekwini Region members and chairperson Gwede Mantashe expected to be at the Josiah Gumede Region in Ladysmith.
The party’s Treasurer-General, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa is in General Gizenga Mpanza Region in KwaDukuza Town Hall.
The 1st Seputy Secretary-General, Nomvula Mokonyane, will meet with the struggling Musa Dladla region (eMpangeni) leadership and branches at the Ngwelezana Hall in Empangeni.
Fullview has learnt that the NWC would be reading the riot act to provincial leaders, following the poor elections results.
The losses at the polls saw the ANC compelled to forge an arrangement with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The party dramatically fell from political grace, after sliding from 54% to 17%.
The poor performance in KZN, which used to be the ANC’s power base, was attributed to poor service delivery at municipal level, with many citing eThekwini Metro and Msunduzi Municipality as examples of a decline in governance, and where water and electricity provision were among contentious issues in the lead up to the elections.
ANC Provincial Secretary Cde Bheki Mtolo has welcomed the visit and stressed that the province always appreciated the support from the national leadership.
In a report from its national executive committee (NEC) gathering two weeks ago, the ANC top brass noted three inter-related and intersecting factors. The report identified the crisis of the economy and social reproduction, profound governance weaknesses and major organisational problems, which, it insisted, could only be addressed through fundamental renewal.
“The NEC resolved that we must use this moment to also shed all signs of complacency and arrogance; to be totally intolerant of corruption and incompetence,” read the report.
There has been speculation that the ANC in KZN and eThekwini region – both once the party’s heartland – would be disbanded. However, the party has rejected the claims.
ANC Acting National Spokesperson Cde Zuko Godlimpi emphasized that their visit was aimed at strengthening the ANC and refuted claims that the plan was to disband ANC structures
Before the elections, the ANC was pinning its hopes on KZN especially eThekwini region, to save it from the political embarrassment of losing its 30-year-old long uninterrupted majority nationally.
Meanwhile ANC in Gauteng is also picking up the pieces following a dismal showing at the polls – where it only managed to garner 34% of the voter share.
The party has started its post-elections reflections – with it expected to get a more in-depth assessment of its performance on Sunday.
Sunday’s provincial executive committee (PEC) lekgotla is expected to be a marathon sitting – with six of the priorities listed in the ANC’s manifesto including job creation – reducing poverty – curbing the high cost of living and building a capable state also featuring high on the agenda. The PEC Lekgotla has been set for two days in Boksburg.