By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The 14th African National Conference (ANC) Gauteng Provincial Conference continues at the Lakes Hotel in Benoni, east of Johannesburg on Saturday.
Today the conference is set to focus on commissions which will discuss renewal of the ANC and the policy document, ahead of the party’s national policy conference.
It will later look into the issue of electing the new leadership, where PEC members, Lebogang Maile and Panyaza Lesufi are going head to head for the position of the Provincial Chairperson.
Both slates will conduct final headcounts, ahead of the adoption of credentials, house rules as well as the presentation of both the organisational and treasurer’s report to delegates.
On Friday evening, which was meant to be the second day of the conference, it ran well into the night, with plans to adopt the credentials being abandoned as the credentials committee continued meeting over the event’s register and hungry delegates wanted a break from their closed session.
Maile’s supporters dubbed “Adiwele,” after a popular Amapiano song by local artists Young Stunna and Kabza Da Small, which speaks of economic prosperity, spent some time deliberating over those it wished to see joining Maile and music producer Thembinkosi “TK” Nciza as Gauteng’s top 5.
Names such as Mbali Hlope, Tasneem Motara and Vuyo Mhlakaza were being debated by the group as a possible deputy provincial secretary.
While those aligned to the unity, renewal and service slate, led by Lesufi have a collective, they have been presenting to party members for most of their campaign.
Outgoing chairperson David Makhura has called on members to reignite the African National Congress (ANC) so it becomes the party of first choice once more for South Africans.
Makhura delivered his political report as he wraps term as provincial chairperson.
Makhura told ANC members it was important to address setbacks and get the ANC back to being the public’s preferred choice.
The conference will close off on Sunday – the 67th anniversary of the Freedom Charter – with ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa, expected to address delegates.