Party hopefuls urged to accept rejection
THE ANC in the Eastern Cape wants party members to accept when their nominations to stand as ward candidates in the upcoming elections are rejected by communities.
Provincial spokesman Mlibo Qoboshiyane said this week only the best candidates should get the nod to stand for the party.
Qoboshiyane’s call comes after some Nelson Mandela Bay communities rejected four candidates presented to them by the party and instead nominated their own.
This week, Qoboshiyane said the days of candidates being imposed on communities were over.
“Governing starts with the people nominating and electing their own leaders, who will be tasked to facilitate development, transformation and growth of all communities,” he said.
“Comrades who didn’t win primary branch nominations are encouraged to support those that were nominated in this democratic process.
“There must be no animosity characterised by . . . violence aimed at the outcomes of these democratic processes.”
The public community meetings are a new chapter for the ANC.
Last year, the party decided that to boost transparency it would bring its candidates to the communities to see what the residents thought of their ability to hold office.
After the public meetings, screening committees comprising senior ANC members would recommend to provincial bosses who should ultimately stand for the party.
When deciding who will eventually stand for the ANC in different wards, the ANC has said residents’ views will be taken into consideration.
“We urge comrades who didn’t win branch nominations to accept the outcome of the process,” Qoboshiyane said.