Gela shifts in to hot seat as ANC chair in Chris Hani area
Mabuyane takes pot shot at factionalism
Wongama Gela was announced as the new chairman of the ANC in the Chris Hani region during the party’s elective conference at the Thembani Gali Youth Centre in Komani.
Gela received 144 votes, beating Chris Hani District Municipality executive mayor and former regional chair Kholiswa Vimbayo, who received 29, and Intsika Yethu mayor Jongomzi Cenga, with 61.
The deputy chairperson position was claimed by Myolisi Toni with 138 votes, ahead of Lali Bulelani, who received 63, and Siyabulela Nxozi with
35.
Lusanda Sizani retained his position as regional secretary with
143 votes against the
90 of Mlungisi Maki. Noxolo Abrahams-Ntantiso beat Emalahleni mayor Nomveliso Nyukwana by 144 votes to 73, while Madoda Papiyana’s election for the position of treasurer was uncontested.
ANC provincial chairman Oscar Mabuyane, who addressed delegates on Saturday before nominations began, indicated the party was engulfed with factionalism and corruption which needed to be rooted out urgently.
He said the people were depending on the governing party to take them out of poverty and improve their lives, which was the primary focus.
“If we are going to lose focus and direct our focus on corrupt activities and everyone wanting to be a leader then we will have failed. This hatred among ANC members is distracting. Factions are usually led by gangsters and are a cancer we need to get rid of – this has led to the collapse of local municipalities. We need to stop building systems based on individuals who are in power at a particular time because, once removed, institutions collapse.”
Mabuyane said the party’s membership in the region had declined by 4,000 and that lobbying groups needed to change their attitudes.
“If the lobbying groups develop a culture of arrogance, it tends to escalate into factions in the party. We have been communicating the renewal of the ANC and the Thuma Mina campaign to the public, but members need to change their way of doing things.
“We cannot have members who are reckless on social media and send out media statements that are disrespectful to the ANC.”
Referring to Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM), Mabuyane said several municipalities across the province were distressed and needed provincial intervention.
“When we say EMLM needs this, we are not out to destroy it.
“Members must stop spreading lies about what they perceive as an attack on the leadership in the municipality. The main focus is not about who is leading (it) but whether the leaders are doing what they are supposed to, which is to serve the people.”
‘When we say EMLM needs provincial intervention, we are not out to destroy it’