The African National Congress (ANC), Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) convened its special meeting on Sunday, 11 September 2022.
The ANC PEC meeting was convened for the leadership collective to prepare for the organisational processes leading to the ANC 55 National Congress to be held in December.
The meeting received and considered a political overview delivered by the ANC Provincial Chairperson, Comrade Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane. The political overview put significant emphasis on unity and renewal of our movement as an important task in the current conjecture. The political overview served as a concrete basis for strategic reflections on the issues affecting our organisation, the people here and across the globe. The meeting was also graced by the attendance of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) deployees led by Comrade Aaron Motsoaledi.
The PEC welcomed the consistent decline in the rate of unemployment as reported by Statistic South Africa and mandated its government to intensify efforts towards attracting more investments to the province and creation of more jobs. All comrades deployed in government must work towards the objective of creating employment in the province especially amongst the youth which recorded high numbers of not being in employment, education and training.
Commemoration of the Bhisho Massacre:
The meeting noted that it was convened during the commemoration of the Bhisho Massacre, which is a striking reminder of the resilience of our people in the fight for liberation. The ANC in the province will pay particular attention to commemorating all historic events that happened in the province as part of preserving our rich history in the struggle against apartheid and colonialism.
We will pay homage to all the women and men who sacrificed everything for us to enjoy the freedom we enjoy today. We shall remember them for being true to the struggle for the total liberation of all our people and for advancing our shared NDR.
Upcoming Branch General Meetings:
As the organisation will be embarking on the Branch General Meetings (BGMs) in preparation for the ANC 55th National Conference, the ANC PEC calls on the ANC branches to engage in this process in a manner that will preserve the ANC standing and integrity in society.
The moment demands the ANC to deepen the renewal project and this process of BGM’s must demonstrate that the ANC has internalized its tasks as the leader of society. The ANC in the province will not tolerate acts of violence and any acts of intimidation during the branch general meetings. To this end, the ANC PEC members will be deployed to all the regions to oversee the processes and ensure that there is law and order.
The PEC reaffirmed the centrality of branches as basic units to evaluate, nominate delegates and elect leadership. The ANC PEC will ensure that all Branches and Regions are assisted to develop roadmaps for the Branch General Meetings.
ANC 55th National Conference:
The ANC PEC having noted the progress the ANC has made since the 54th National Conference towards ensuring that it rebuilds itself, decisively confronts any alien tendencies and equally the work of the ANC-led government towards repurposing government to deliver on the needs and aspirations of South Africans. Resolved that as the organisation we are required to build and strengthen this progress as retreating is not an option. As such the meeting unanimously resolved to support and lobby for Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa to be re-elected as the ANC President.
The meeting noted with utter disgust the persistent and well-calculated attacks on the persona of the ANC President, Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa. These attacks are a collaboration of the ANC internal and external forces who are doing all in their power to avoid consequences for their nefarious actions. We are clear that at the base of this offensive against Comrade Ramaphosa is a clear objective to divide and ultimately dislodge the ANC as the leader of our people and from the government.
The PEC meeting further resolved to lobby for Comrade Oscar Mabuyane to be elected as the Deputy President of the ANC. We strongly believe that Comrade Mabuyane will bring a diverse set of skills that will assist in the renewal of the ANC. The PEC also resolved as part of continuity and change to support the re-election of Comrade Gwede Mantashe as the National Chairperson of the ANC.
The Province is fully convinced that Women should be affirmed up on the National Officials, not only to be elected but should occupy the Secretary-General Office (SGO) for the first time in the history of the ANC. The meeting resolved to engage other Provinces on other names for the positions in the National Officials.
Defence of Chapter 9 institutions :
The PEC reiterated its unwavering confidence in all Chapter 9 institutions regarding their abilities to fulfil their constitutional obligations and the available recourse for any aggrieved party.
As such when the Office of the Public Protector is put under undue political pressure by opposition political parties for their nefarious agenda, society has to rise in its defence. These institutions must be allowed to conduct their work without prejudice, fear or favour. Any attempt to impose from outside how certain matters must be handled has to be rejected.
Lifestyle Audits:
The PEC fully welcomed and supported the stance taken by the Eastern Cape Premier, Comrade Mabuyane in ensuring that all Members of the Provincial Cabinet undergo lifestyle audits and polygraph tests and that has been implemented to reaffirm our resolution on renewal.
PEC welcomed the report that all EXCO Members who have undergone the process are living within their means and not associated with rouge elements which thrive on stealing from the public purse.
The ANC further urges all other spheres of government to urgently undergo a similar exercise as the ANC has to demonstrate to itself and the public at large that its deployees are beyond reproach.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality:
The PEC noted the developments within the Council of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality and welcomed the efforts by MEC for COGTA to bring lasting solutions on governance matters, as only a stable municipality at the political and administratively level can best serve the people.
ANC is still willing to work with coalition partners on the principle that such a coalition will put the people of Nelson Mandela Metro first. It is in that context that the ANC encourages the broader society of Nelson Mandela Bay including political parties represented in the Council to participate fully in the Section 12 notice for consultation from the MEC and determine the future of the political leadership of the Municipality.
PEC is of the view that future cooperative government must be based on mutual respect and concern for the people of the Municipality. Priority must be to serve our people and the local state is expected to deliver and provide basic and quality services and steer away from petty politics. ANC is in constant consultation with all its internal structures on finding the best approach for the future leadership of the Municipality.
GBV and Femicide:
The PEC resolved for the ANC in the province to intensify its campaign against the scourge of Gender Based Violence and Femicide. The PEC will roll out this massive campaign working with its allies and the leagues.
ENDS….
ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS – EASTERN CAPE
Enquiries :
Cde Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
Mobile No : ?0849519924?/?0848439706
