ANC UNITY PROJECT UP IN FLAMES

THE ANC’s much-vaunted unity project, which has been championed by President Cyril Ramaphosa since the Nasrec national elective conference in 2017, seems to have officially gone up in flames, if developments at the Eastern Cape conference are anything to go by.

The conference had to be extended by a day after delegates fought over credentials amid bribery allegations levelled against re-elected chairperson and Premier Oscar Mabuyane by his unsuccessful challenger, former Public Works MEC Babalo Madikizela.

The three-day ninth provincial conference held at the East London International Convention Centre over the weekend was forced to end without any discussion on policy matters, as well as service delivery. It turned out to be the scene for political power battles, squabbles and mudslinging. It was also marred by court cases.

Political analyst Sipho Seepe said that what emerged at the conference was not so much about policy as about positions.

“This was a highly contested conference. Both sides gave their best shot. Unfortunately, what emerged was less about policy and more about the party. This is what has become of the party – it exists for itself. The message is that South Africans can expect more of the same. They are merely voting cattle for a party that treats them as a mere afterthought,” said Seepe.

In his closing address, Ramaphosa acknowledged the political differences between rival factions in the Eastern Cape. He urged Mabuyane, his ally, not to purge political opponents, for the sake of unity in the ANC.

That is easier said than done. Madikizela has already announced he is leaving his position as an MEC in Mabuyane’s government. He was also excluded from the provincial executive committee in a surprise move that all but put to rest the claims of unity and renewal.

If anything, the Eastern Cape conference has exposed the ANC faultlines before the party’s national elective conference in December.

Ramaphosa, who is seeking a second term, is expected to be challenged by Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, among others.