By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa’s allies dominate the party’s National Working Committee [NWC] which processes the day to day running of the organization and recommends to NEC, the highest decision making body between conferences.
This follows the induction of the 80 NEC members at the Esselenpark Conference Centre, east of Johannesburg, after which the first NEC Lekgotla for the year will follow on Sunday and Monday.
The list of newly elected members seen as key supporters of the president comprises of Mmamoloko Kubayi, Barbara Creecy, Enoch Godongwana, Zizi Kodwa, Mondli Gungubele, Sibongile Besani, Nonceba Mhlauli, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Senzo Mchunu and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. The other NWC members selected are Angie Motshekga, Tina Joemat-Peterson, Ronald Lamola, David Mahlobo, ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina, Thandi Modise, Mdumiseni Ntuli, Mduduzi Manana, Peggy Nkonyeni and Thembi Nkadimeng.
The NWC comprises the party’s top seven officials, including Ramaphosa and his deputy Paul Mashatile who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the ANC.
Ramaphosa is expected to deliver his closing remarks on Monday.
The lekgotla will prepare for the president’s State of The Nation’s Address (Sona), which will guide the State of the Provincial Addresses, set for 9 February.
It will further discuss the move of state-owned entities (SOEs) from the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) into their relevant government departments.
At its December elective conference, the ANC resolved to move Eskom to the Mineral Resources and Energy Department, which falls under the party’s national chairperson Gwede Mantashe.
The ANC hosted an energy symposium at the University of Johannesburg on Wednesday, where ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula conceded his party was responsible for South Africa’s electricity crisis.
“We cannot deal with [load shedding] by running away and cutting corners as if we are not in power.
“Load shedding started in 2008, and we have been grappling with it until now. ANC does take responsibility, and that does not mean you don’t deal with the issues at hand.”
Mbalula also warned that ANC-led government would be overthrown one day.
“Not on fact, but on conspiracies,” he said after being cut off by load shedding.
The party is facing tough months ahead as it would have to start preparing for the most crucial elections in 2024.