Policies, not factions should be focus of ANC – Zikalala

"The task of the conference is to evaluate the progress we are making in the execution of the revolution. The second task of the conference is to discuss the programme of action for the next intervening period.

 

“Then the last task becomes the election of the leadership to lead based on the programme that has already been developed but I hear people singing about preferred comrades that they think must be elected.

 

Zikalala addressed hundreds of ANC branch delegates attending the eThekwini regional elective conference at the Durban ICC on Saturday.

 

The conference kicked off to a late start with the program only commencing at 2pm instead of 9am in the morning following issues with the members of the youth and women’s league.

 

In his opening address, Zikalala said the regional conference has a responsibility to look at the issues that are really about the life and existence of the ANC.

 

"It is important for the ANC in this region to pay serious attention to the state of the organisation. The vibrancy of our branches whether our branches are dealing with day to day issues that affect our people.

 

“Whether we have branches that have spawned to the challenges that exist in every ward branches that would be in front in the fight against crime, the use of drugs. Branches that take up campaigns around GBV, to address poverty that affects many areas in the region.

 

Zikalala urged party members to stay true to their oath, forge unity and fight against factionalism within the party.

"If we were conscious of this oath, I'm sure many of us would've been here by 10 am yet there was no one because factionalism has prevailed. It's the order of the day and that's where many people belong. If we're mindful of this call the oath we took, we would've come here, not as individuals or groupings but as individual delegates that come from branches." 

 

He said party members have allowed themselves to be more loyal to other members and not the organisation. 

 READ: Infighting could strip branches of voting rights at eThekwini ANC conference

"We must confront this ill-disciplined that prevails in the ANC, we must, even if it’s done by leaders, confront it, deliberate on it and deal with it. We must not be apologetic and be fearful to confront wrong tendencies in the organisation. 

"It's wrong for members to hold the organisation at ransom because they are a grouping of a faction. Let us belong to the ANC and not faction, let us surrender our skills and energies to the ANC and not factions.”

 

The contest at this much-awaited conference is between former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and Thabani Nyawose, the current speaker of the city.  

 

Voting is expected to take place and the leadership of the eThekwini region is expected to be announced on Sunday.