Lobbying in full swing in O R Tambo
WITH ANC national bosses having given all regions until the end of June to elect new leaders, behind-the-scenes lobbying has started in the Eastern Cape.
Luthuli House wants all its regions to convene successful elective conferences in four months’ time, so that the party can turn its attention to campaigning for next year’s national and provincial elections.
Leading the pack is the biggest ANC region in the province, O R Tambo, where Xolisani Malindi and acting regional secretary Melusi Ngqondwana have emerged as front runners to fill the powerful regional secretary position left vacant by Lulama Ngcukayithobi in August when he was elected provincial secretary.
Malindi and Ngqondwana were endorsed last week by the region’s two main subregions – Ingquza Hill and Nyandeni.
Nyandeni wants the regional chairman Xolile Nkompela to retain his position.
Ingquza Hill sub-regional chairman Mpofane Tenyane confirmed that branches had met and agreed to back Malindi.
He said they were open to lobbies from other sub-regions on other positions.
“Indeed we have met as the Ingquza subregion and agreed that we will be fielding our secretary Xolisani Malindi to lead the region in the same capacity come regional conference,” said Tenyane.
“This is but a start of what is going to be intense lobbying of other strategic allies and we strategically resolved only on a name for the position of regional secretary to leave room for engagement.”
Tenyane said they believed Malindi was the right man for the job as he had been actively involved in ANC politics from his student days.
Nyandeni sub-regional chairman Mcebisi Mtobela said they wanted the status quo to remain.
“The intention is to retain Xolile Nkompela as regional chairman, Mesuli Ngondwana as secretary and Zandile Mdoda as regional treasurer with our primary aim being to keep the status quo for purposes of unity and stability in the O R Tambo region.”
In Sarah Baartman, incumbent regional secretary Scara Njadayi is being touted to take over as regional chair.
Several slates are doing the rounds in Dr W B Rubusana region. The other two regions due for conference are Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi. —