Strategy behind challenge to Holomisa’s post

THE Eastern Cape man many hailed as “brave” for challenging United Democratic Movement (UDM) president Bantu Holomisa for party presidency, said he knew he would not win. Instead, it was all about promoting democracy in the party.

Relatively unknown Chris Hani region-based UDM leader Ngebulana Nhlangabezi threw his hat into the ring to challenge Holomisa at the party’s national congress two weeks ago.

“It was not about winning but a gesture promote democracy and transparency.

“At the beginning, it was difficult – people could not contest. I am leveling the ground now for 2020. People make a mistake of thinking I stood for winning,” Nhlangabezi said.

He is also the provincial organiser of the UDM, serving in the provincial executive committee structure of the party.

The 5th national conference was held at the University of the Free State and more than 1 500 delegates attended.

Speaking to the Daily Dispatch last week, Nhlangabezi said he was practising his democratic right and wanted to create a culture of democracy in the UDM. He said he joined the UDM at its inception. “I joined the party while I was still in Johannesburg because we were sympathetic towards the General as he was unfairly dismissed [from the ANC],” Nhlangabezi said.

“When I came back to the Eastern Cape, introduced the party to the people of Cala.”

He added that people within the UDM tend to conform to the status quo and not act on their thoughts that time for change has arrived.

“Our sympathy has ended now, we want the organisation to be run like other organisations – through structures. We need transformation in the UDM, because we cannot talk about transformation in government while we do not have it as the party.

Contacted yesterday, Holomisa declined to comment, saying: “I don’t play that game”. —

to

I