ANC uses new technology to track members

THE ANC has pinned its hopes on its new technologically driven membership system to deal with gatekeeping and vote buying within its ranks.

Secretary-general Ace Magashule launched the new membership system in line with the party’s conference resolution in Sebokeng, Gauteng, on Friday.

In terms of the new system, party members can now register and pay their subscriptions online as well as receive their membership cards which will be sent to their gadgets.

Members can also use their gadgets to check the status of their membership and also raise queries and lodge complaints and disputes.

In terms of the new system, there will now be electronic membership cards, which will contain ID numbers as a membership number.

But concerns have been raised about whether it would be of any assistance to those members who don’t know how to use technology.

Speaking at the launch, Magashule said the new membership system was an integral part of the renewal and modernisation of the ANC. He said it would deal with thorny issues such as gatekeeping, which had marred the party’s processes.

“The new and modernised system is reliable, robust and not open to manipulation. The new membership discourages gatekeeping and vote buying,” he said.

“It will reduce the number of complaints, disputes and litigation.”

University of Kwazulu-natal political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said: “It is a good idea to deal with gate-keeping, but I am wondering for those who are not good in using technology if it is to be of any help to them.”

ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe could not be reached for comment.