Time for new provincial leadership
Elective conference ahead
AS we march towards the Eastern Cape eighth ANC provincial elective conference in July, we need to rebuild the ANC in this province, indeed to put it in its previous position pertaining to national politics.
Let me remind all ANC members and branches that the ANC conferences are not only about electing leaders, but are to conduct a leadership assessment and review, which lead to leadership changes where necessary.
When the ANC elects leaders its vision is to unite and free all people from poverty.
The ANC of yesteryear, led by the respected heroes and heroines such as Oliver Tambo, Hubert Majombozi, Walter Sisulu, Adelaide Tambo, Charlotte Maxeke, Albertina Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and Chris Hani, achieved our democracy, indeed managed to win the battle against the bondage of colonialism and apartheid.
The battle for the ANC now is to release our people from the bondage of poverty, and to build unity and cohesion of the ANC, and to eradicate crippling ill-discipline and factionalism within the ANC. Therefore, we go to the conference to assess those in power and also review their mandates given in the previous conference.
It also makes me happy that the ANC in the Eastern Cape has always produced leaders and comrades with vision, direction, integrity and courage.
It is, therefore, my view that leaders with courage and integrity were produced in the process.
Those debating the leadership change are encouraged by the growth of a certain layer of leaders with courage and integrity who will not dare to rubbish that legacy.
The leadership change in the province is underpinned by the vision of ensuring that our ANC is relevant both locally and nationally.
It needs no scientist to tell us as members of the ANC in this province that the terrain of our politics has changed. The terrain currently needs radical leadership.
In the ANC there is always a second layer as well as those groomed to advance the vision of the organisation.
The ANC elects leaders with the vision of growing others.
As the president announced the move for radical economic transformation, we too need radical leadership transformation and to allow new blood to drive the agenda.
We are obliged not to let any patronage supercede our consciousness and deeply individualise the leadership succession debate.
We elected some of the leaders in the current PEC with the clear vision of this year. As we made the assessment, it is correct to call for leadership change.
We also cannot agree on comrade Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane to take a third term as provincial secretary, but he is ready enough for a provincial chairperson position. That office needs a change. The ANC exists to unite and transform our country as rapidly as possible into a united, democratic and prosperous one, based on the principles of the Freedom Charter.
One of the strengths of the ANC has been always being truthful to the people, and never hiding its own shortcomings and weaknesses, or the extent of the challenges that we face.
The mass membership of the ANC is at the core of our ability to build a better life for all.
The duties of ANC members are spelt out clearly in the constitution that requires that each of us, upon joining, must take the oath: “I solemnly declare that I will defend the unity and integrity of the ANC, and its principles, and combat any tendency towards disruption and factionalism”.
I, therefore, remind all ANC members that it’s a duty to combat any tendency towards disruption and factionalism.
Change is needed. Creating a space for those groomed leaders is needed and by doing so, sending those groomed to the NEC.
It’s time to send Phumulo Masualle and some within our PEC and other regions to the NEC.
One of the paramount challenges facing the ANC in this province now is the task of improving the quality and political depth which I believe Mabuyane can do.
The achievement of our democracy in 1994 marked the rebirth of the ANC and from then we never stopped assessments and the grooming of second-layer leaders.
The ANC made an environment that provides changes and new leadership minds.
Let’s be united going towards this conference, and eliminate factionalism and self-serving leaders.
Viwe Sidali, ANC member, Mzwanele Fazzie branch executive committee member, former ANCYL regional executive committee member – Buffalo City Metro and activist, East London