By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) Western Cape 9th elective conference finally commenced on Saturday, which has been marred with lengthy delays due to registration and accommodation woes.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula used his opening address to plead with the party members in the Western Cape to get its house in order.
Saturday’s programme had to be adjusted to include the official opening and the tabling of the organisational and financial reports, as well as what was on the agenda for the day.
This is the Western Cape ANC’s first elective conference after almost eight years since branches last elected a leadership.
Mbalula said the ANC in the province needed to take the ruling DA to task.
“You need to talk especially in the Western Cape because we are facing a difficult revolution. You are busy fighting for nothing and yet the power is gone. The DA here in the Western Cape is in charge and I don’t see you comrades taking the DA to task. We can feel them with their lies and distortions that they are there.”
Mbalula commended the delegates for keeping their cool despite the glitches.
He said the governing party should still remain after the contests for the positions for provincial leadership.
“I want you to relax and to sit back under the difficult circumstances.”
He thanked the interim provincial committee (IPC) for holding the fort under difficult circumstances.
“They did not appoint themselves to be in the IPC. They were appointed by the national executive committee of the ANC.”
The ANC has been in decline in the Western Cape for more than a decade. It’s finally hosting its provincial conference this weekend to elect new leaders who, it hopes, can revive its electoral chances.
In the report that the province submitted to the party’s national executive committee last year, there was an assessment of the weaknesses, which include entrenched factionalism and the manipulation of internal democratic process in the organisation.
The troubled provincial ANC is expected to choose between member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) Cameron Dugmore, former member of Parliament (MP) Lerumo Kalako, and ANC MP Richard Dyantyi as its chairperson.
Former head of the Hawks, Anwa Dramat, is regarded as the frontrunner to be the next provincial secretary.
The party will also discuss a number of issues affecting the party from renewal and the 2024 elections.
Mbalula said the conference should complete its business by tomorrow ahead of a closing address by President Cyril Ramaphosa.