By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says it is now time to rebuild the organisation in the Western Cape and build a province that is more equal, more inclusive and prosperous.
“After a long period of instability as well as uncertainty within the structures of our movement, you have been successful at having this conference and we now look forward to how you are going to advance the process of unity, of renewal and the revitilisation of the ANC here in the Western Cape, He said.”
Closing the conference on Sunday, Ramaphosa urged the newly elected Western Cape ANC leaders to get to work to win over voter support in the DA-run province.
Ramaphosa said winning the province should be the primary task that “needs an outlined and clear path.”
“We have it within us comrades to achieve this goal. We must never think that it is an impossible goal.”
Ramaphosa also urged delegates to draw lessons from the United Democratic Front (UDF). The UDF was instrumental in the fight against apartheid.
“As we confront the challenges of the present, we should draw lessons of how our people in our various formations we united under the United Democratic Front which drew a great deal of inspiration as well as leadership from the African National Congress. We need to revive the activism that was exemplified in the UDF, we need to rebuild a broad front of individuals, the broad front of groups and formations together for the transformation of our society.”
The ANC lost control of the Western Cape to the DA in 2009. Recurring ANC infighting and factionalism finished what was left of support in the Western Cape.
The province produced ANC political heavyweights such as the late Dullar Omar, Ebrahim Rasool and Mcebisi Skwatsha, among others.
Former Dullar Omar region secretary Vuyiso “JJ” Tyhalisusu unexpectedly won the provincial chairperson position.
He beat legislature party leader Cameron Dugmore with 311 votes. Dugmore, who was a front-runner for chairperson, received 282 votes.
Tyhalisisu was nominated from the floor on Saturday evening after Lerumo Kalako, his ally, declined the nomination.
The other person who was a contender for the chairperson’s position was Section 194 chairperson Qubudile Richard Dyantyi.
He, however, did not meet the threshold to be on the ballot, and even when he was once again nominated from the floor, did not get sufficient support to be elected.
Meanwhile, other names from the Rural for Change that got overwhelming support are Sharon Davids, elected as the deputy chairperson, and Ayanda Bans, the deputy secretary.
While all four other positions were contested, Derek Appel was the only name nominated unopposed, for the treasurer position.
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Video Courtesy of MyANC.