By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@ MasiLosi.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged members of the ANC to choose the best to represent the party at the polls.
Ramaphosa said ANC councillors must be capable and willing to serve the people selflessly, as the country is scheduled to hold Local Government Elections later in the year.
Local government is the sphere of government closest to the people and best placed to address the people’s needs, added Ramaphosa.
Addressing the Northern Cape provincial conference on Saturday, Ramaphosa also said ill discipline is expected from those who used to benefit from rogue practices in the past.
Ramaphosa said the ANC is within its rights to call rogue members and leaders to order.
“Our movement is going through a period characterised by instances of ill-discipline and disrespect for organisational norms, values and resistance. This is expected. Any project of renewal and rebuilding will encounter resistance from those who benefited from the deviant practices of the past,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa said though the decision to forge unity in the party was made at Nasrec, there were those who were intentionally deviating from ANC principles, further saying they would be dealt with.
“We are determined to execute the mandate given to us by the Nasrec conference. Delegates at that conference were clear when they said all ANC members must work harder together to unite and renew this glorious movement of our people. Unity doesn’t mean that we must close ranks at all costs at all times,” he said.
“When a comrade is denigrating or attacking the ideals and mission of our movement, then we need to call that comrade to order – that is unity. Calling out wrong or deviant behaviour that demeans the standing of the ANC is protecting the ANC. Our renewal process must tell us that we want to protect the ANC – its standing, existence and effectiveness. It is a revolutionary imperative.
“When we see some of the leaders behaving in a manner that portrays a less than ideal understanding of the culture, values and principles … the ANC is a caring organisation but our care and understanding must not be misconstrued. We must arrive at a point where we will not tolerate deviant behaviour that undermines the standing of this glorious movement and its integrity. There is room for everyone who will abide by its mission.”
Meanwhile, former ANC President, Thabo Mbeki, is expected to make presentations on the unity and renewal of the party.
He will contribute to how to reassert the ANC as a movement rooted among the people.