By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng African National Congress (ANC) co-convenor Panyaza Lesufi has urged party members to save the party from becoming a “sinking ship” amid electoral losses across the country.
Lesufi was speaking at the opening of the 16th ANC Greater Johannesburg regional conference on Wednesday.
Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero is expected to see off with the City’s MMC for Finance, Loyiso Masuku, for the leadership of the ANC in the metro.
Morero’s slate includes Lebohang Tshabalala as secretary, Nomoya Mnisi as deputy secretary, and Maxwell Nedzamba as regional treasurer.
This slate has been described as a “unity” slate.
Masuku’s slate consists of the region’s spokesperson, Masilo Serekele, who is contesting for the position of deputy chairperson, Sasabona Manganye, the current regional secretary, who will contest for the same position, Lerato K Bob for the position of deputy secretary, and Nedzamba.
Masuku’s slate has been described as the “people’s choice”.
In his address, Lesufi asserted that it is a misconception to believe that the masses have abandoned the ANC for smaller parties; rather, he contended, it is the ANC that has distanced itself from the people it serves.
“Our people are very clear that they have not left us, but we, as the leaders, have left our people. They raise sharply the issues they believe we have neglected. Our people are unemployed. They want jobs, and we have demonstrated to them that we do not have a plan or a programme to give them jobs. They want to feed their families, but find themselves unable to do so, because they do not know anyone,” he stated.
He further decried the lack of compassion many of the parties’ elected leaders were showing South Africans, who want leaders of the ANC to resolve issues of poverty, high unemployment, the immigration crisis, and other socio-economic challenges.
He also urged ANC members to refrain from acting as if the party still has a majority in local, provincial, and national elections, when it is co-governing with other parties.
Lesufi stated: “At one stage, the numbers in the council were more than 55%, but now were are far less than that. Let me tell you what the problem is, comrades… When we lose power and still behave as if we still control these municipalities… We must reaffirm that we are capable of fixing our problems.”
Lesufi said that, to regain the trust of South Africans, every single member of the ANC must work hard, as the trust deficit has become a hindrance.
Next week the party will host its largest gathering between conferences at national level — a defining moment for the ANC’s mid-term gathering. Lesufi said this is an opportunity for the party to take stock of its current standing, while working towards paving a way forward past its challenges.
“The national general council is going to determine how best, as the ANC, we can confront the next stage of our revolution. The NGC is giving us an opportunity to take stock. For the first time in the history of our movement, this NGC is confronted with the possible non-existence of the ANC in the next 15 years. Therefore, it must say how do we solve this.
Meanwhile ANC is facing legal battle after failing to settle more than R20 million for election campaign services and ignoring court deadlines, triggering an application for a default judgment against the party.
The application, brought by Sisonke Consortium and O’Brian Digital, which is part of the consortium that ran the ANC’s 2024 campaign, has been filed in the High Court in Johannesburg.
The consortium is seeking payment of R20 878 220.22, interest at 11% from the date of default, costs on scale C, the highest tariff rates for legal fees, and further relief.