By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Michel Bega
Eugene Modise has retained his position as African National Congress (ANC) Regional Chairperson after his nomination was uncontested at the Greater Tshwane 12th Regional Conference.
The nomination process took place on Saturday night at the Velmore Hotel in Pretoria.
George Matjila, was also re-elected unopposed as regional secretary. Sam Mashola was also unopposed for the position of regional deputy secretary.
The two other contested positions in the top five, deputy chairperson and regional treasurer, will be voted on Sunday afternoon.
Modise cautioned delegates against allowing leadership contests to weaken the organisation, warning that factional behaviour remained the ANC’s greatest threat.
“The only thing that is going to make us not win elections is our behaviour,” Modise said, urging unity beyond the conference.
ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member Khumbudzo Ntshavheni set the tone for the remainder of the day with a forceful address on organisational renewal, discipline and leadership accountability.
She praised the conduct of ANC delegates at the recent National General Council, saying, “They never expected that from us. They thought we would tear each other apart, but we agreed with each other.”
Ntshavheni warned that the ANC was undermining itself by resorting to courts to block internal processes.
“We cannot come from a successful NGC that focuses on renewal and still take each other to court so that a regional conference does not sit,” she said.
She also addressed recent corruption arrests involving ANC members, saying the organisation could no longer carry the reputational burden of individual misconduct.
“The ANC takes over our sins instead of ourselves carrying our sins,” Ntshavheni told delegates, calling for stricter accountability and ethical leadership.