By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former ANC president Thabo Mbeki is in the Western Cape this weekend as part of his renewal gatherings with party members.
Mbeki’s visit will see him engage with the province’s ANC leaders in a two-day programme expected to wrap up on Monday.
The province’s leadership was dissolved in 2019.
An expired mandate was one of the reasons stated by the party. There were also concerns about public spats among its leaders.
The ANC national executive committee has appointed an interim provincial committee.
The ANC in the Western Cape has to contend with poor support in some areas of the province; it is also the only province the party does not govern.
The party has struggled to grow its support and secured just 28.64% of the vote in the provincial elections in 2019.
Mbeki’s visit to the Western Cape follows similar gatherings hosted by the ANC in the Free State.
Former President of the ANC and the country, Thabo Mbeki arriving for a meeting with the party in the Western Cape. @Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/mtcKU68Ory
— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) March 20, 2022
ANC Western Cape spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni said Mbeki’s visit was intended to help them prepare for the provincial conference.
Branch meetings were taking place across the province, Mtsweni added.
He said the ANC was likely to host its provincial conference in May.
“The last time the ANC was in power in this province, Mbeki was still president. The province was at the time strong in areas where it is very weak today. We want to hear from him what we have to do to renew the organisation.