Masualle to lead top ANC forum

ANC provincial chairman Phumulo Masualle has been appointed as the convenor of the party’s new National Provincial Chairperson’s Forum.

According to a statement from Calata House following a provincial executive committee (PEC) meeting last weekend, the forum is a body established by the party’s national executive committee (NEC) to prepare the party for national conferences.

Masualle’s appointment to convene the structure was taken at the party’s NEC meeting late last year and the Daily Dispatch understands he was chosen since the general view was that he was the most neutral provincial chairman among the nine in the party’s factional battles.

He will be expected to lead the forum as it seeks to “develop an approach to the leadership question that will foster stability, unity and coherence of the organisation” towards the ANC national conference in December.

But it seems Masualle will have his hands full this year, as he is also expected to run for reelection as Eastern Cape chairman at the provincial conference set for July 27 to 30 in East London. He is likely to face provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane for the much sought-after chairmanship position.

Masualle could not be reached for comment at the time of writing yesterday.

At last weekend’s ordinary PEC meeting, the party noted that leadership preferences towards both the upcoming provincial and national elective conferences were sowing divisions in the party.

“The PEC meeting therefore resolved to spare no effort in uniting itself and the organisation towards these conferences and beyond,” said acting ANC provincial communications officer Judy Ngoloyi.

The same meeting pointed out that gatekeeping, factionalism and deliberate manipulation of processes were the challenges confronting the party.

The PEC also resolved that “only Umkhonto Wesizwe” would provide security at these conferences and other ANC gatherings in the province.