Alliance in trouble if faction wins conference – Nzimande

WHICHEVER candidate wins the much-anticipated ANC national elective conference next week, may walk out with just “a shell” of what the ANC used to be, due to factionalism.

These were the sentiments of SACP secretary-general Blade Nzimande, who was speaking at the party’s eighth elective provincial congress in East London on Saturday.

Nzimande was welcomed by hundreds of party delegates at the East London City Hall to elect new provincial leaders.

This was a clear sign that despite having been recently recalled from cabinet by President Jacob Zuma, Nzimande still enjoys his party’s support.

Nzimande said the tripartite alliance of the ANC, SACP and Cosatu only campaigned during elections and had abandoned all day-to-day campaigns.

“There is a need for meaningful and democratic consultation within the alliance,” he said.

Nzimande also took a swipe at Zuma, in a move that could be seen as a revolt for being fired from cabinet.

“At times one person, normally a man, stands up and says ‘I fire you’ as if he campaigned alone.

“He then appoints a minister that causes problems and we as the alliance are asked to defend that nonsense,” said Nzimande, who emphasised “we are not after positions”.

He also had some views, though veiled, on the upcoming ANC elective conference.

“The leadership we would like to see emerging out of the ANC congress is the leadership that will roll back what is clearly a decline in votes for the ANC.

“It must be a leadership that is prepared to be inclusive and seek to actively destroy factionalism in the ANC.”

Nzimande said if a faction won the conference “the entire alliance was in trouble”.

This sentiment seemed to be in line with the more than 200 ANC Mpumalanga province delegates, who recently voted for unity instead of a particular slate.

SACP leader Solly Mapaila previously endorsed Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed Zuma.

Nzimande said: “If a faction wins the conference I think we are all in trouble. We would like a leadership that will make the ANC a people’s movement through day-to-day interaction with the people.

“Slates are not healthy for an organisation like the ANC. The danger is that whoever wins the conference may walk away with a shell and no organisation.

“We were hoping the ANC was going to address this factionalism, and we hope it is not too late.”

The ANC will hold its 54th elective conference at Nasrec in Johannesburg between December 16 and 20.

The SACP in the province was yesterday expected to elect a provincial secretary, with incumbent Xolile Nqatha being contested by Simphiwe Thobela, and the second deputy secretary post being contested by Mawethu Rune and Lazola Ndamase. At the time of writing late yesterday, it was not clear who the winners were as vote counting was still ongoing. —