PEC nod for seven Bay leaders
Strong presence welcomed while leaders stress ‘one organisation’
SEVEN Nelson Mandela Bay ANC leaders, including former deputy mayor Nancy Sihlwayi, were elected onto the party’s provincial executive committee (PEC) at the weekend.
Helen Sauls-August was re-elected as the party’s deputy secretary at the seventh ANC provincial conference at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Indoor Sport Centre last week.
The metro’s constituency coordinator Fikile Desi, Tamara Xhanti, Lindelwa Dunjwa, SACP provincial chairman Mzoleli Mrara and former ANC Youth League deputy president Andile Lungisa were also elected as additional members of the PEC.
The hall erupted into song when the results were announced on Saturday, with delegates lifting their newly elected leaders ont their shoulders.
Desi attributed his election to “serving people with distinction as a street committee representative, ward councillor and human settlements portfolio chairman”.
“I feel so humbled by delegates having confidence in me and electing me to represent Nelson Mandela Bay. I know there is a mammoth task ahead because this time it is not about Nelson Mandela Bay only, but the whole province.
“I am ever ready for work – my heart and soul are ready for this task,” he said.
Sihlwayi said she believed the elected leadership would be equal to the challenges the province had.
“Our view as the ANC is that we will be able to work better and smart as a collective. This is not new to me because I also served as the ANC Women’s League provincial secretary.
“This will need additional energy and we need to recharge our batteries. The ANC is alive because of leadership. But we need support from the masses.”
ANC national executive member Derek Hanekom congratulated all PEC members and urged delegates to stop saying they had won because their preferred candidates were elected.
“Those who are saying it, please stop saying we won. Who is this ‘we’? There's no ‘we’ in the ANC. Nobody won and nobody lost. The ANC won and there is only one ANC,” Hanekom said. “A big congratulations goes to those elected. There is no doubt you’ll take our organisation to greater heights.”
ANC provincial chairman Phumulo Masualle echoed Hanekom. “There are no winners or losers in the ANC. It is the organisation that is the winner,” he said.
Masualle said the newly elected PEC would be visiting Qunu tomorrow to show their support to Nelson Mandela’s family.
ANC regional secretary Zandisile Qupe said they were happy to have hosted a successful conference. “The region achieved a lot out of the conference. We are quite happy about having seven out of 35 PEC members. Having seven comrades representing us in the PEC will prioritise bringing stability to the metro. We have full confidence in them,” Qupe said.
Other PEC additional members are Mziyanda Sokujika, Zukiswa Ncitha, Pumelele Ndamase, Nomakhaya Meth, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, Thozama Mantashe, Busisiwe Nodada, Julia Wells, Thokozile Sokhanyile, Nonceba Khontsiwe, Xolile Nqatha, Thandiwe Kenye, Alfred Mtsi, Blacks Gade, Phumza Dyantyi, Sandile Sello, Vusumzi Mgoduka, Jackson Sabona, William Ngozi, Mncedisi Nontsele, Weziwe Tikana, Nomvuyo Mposelwa, Zukiswa Ranto and Stella Ndabeni.
Nobody won and nobody lost. The ANC won and there is only one ANC