By Libuseng Nyaka
QWAQWA-The newly elected ANC Free State Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) led by Mxolisi Dukwana has vowed to unite the organisation so that they would be able to tackle challenges facing the province as a unit.
This was agreed upon by newly elected IPC’s meeting held on June 1-2, 2021, in Bloemfontein.
“The unity of the organisation is one of the sacrosanct principles of the movement, therefore the IPC will never tolerate any form or divisive measures by any member of the organisation including within IPC itself,” said the IPC in a media statement released at the end of its first meeting on June ,3,2021.
In their quest for renewal and unity IPC coordinator Paseka Nompodo said they have also agreed to approach the NEC to ask it to revise the expulsion of 16 councillors of Maluti-a-phofung, who were expelled for voting with the opposition parties in a motion tabled by EFF during the ousting of ex-mayor, Vusi Tshabalala.
Speaking on behalf of 16 councillors who contested the by election and formed a party after winning 10 out of 15 wards, Paratlane Motloung expressed no interested of going back to the governing party.
“One of the appellants, Shashapa Motaung is our member, a member of Map16, we are not going back to ANC.”
The 16 councillors say through their map 16 movement are ready to contest local government elections.
He said they identified things that divide them while agreeing that a united ANC will translate into a united society.
“In most cases, the disunity of the ANC contributes to societal divisions and apathy. The following issues have been identified as contributors to disunity; socio-economic challenges, inward looking, personality cult, corruption, and internal capacity. The IPC has therefore resolved to embark on unity and renewal programme across the province, which includes assemblies of activists and mobilisation of civil society in general.”
Other issues that were discussed include political overview by Provincial Convener, Mxolisi Dukwana, PEC handover report, presentation of unity programme, update on COVID-19, election of Interim provincial working committee and deployment to regions for purpose of elections.
In terms of fight against COVID-19 the meeting noted with concern the problem of the third wave of COVID-19 in the province while appreciating efforts of the department of Health in fighting this pandemic.
“We urge the community to observe the measures brought by government. We instruct all the branches to work closely with government to register the elderly and submit weekly statistics on the number of people who received vaccination. We encourage our elderly people who are 60 years and above to be part of the second phase of vaccine roll out. Their participation in vaccination programme will contribute towards achieving hard immunity and reduce the rate of infections,” said Nompondo.
The meeting noted poor state of the municipalities and promised to monitor provision of services in particular refuse removal, provision of clean water, access to electricity and maintenance of roads.
Further they acknowledged that community protests in the province are mainly due to genuine concerns of the community.
“The ANC acknowledge, we believe that much can be done in mitigating the situation as experienced in many areas. We are inspired by the courageous efforts of the people of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Harrismith, Phuthaditjhaba, Zastron, Theunissen and other places in working with government to deal with problems of services delivery. We have deployed members of the IPC to different regions to assist in dealing with challenges experienced by the communities. We urge political and administrative leadership in all municipalities to put much effort to deal with challenges experienced by the community,”
In terms of renewing the ANC, the meeting said they expect ANC structures to be at the centre of community activities and be able to take up challenges of service delivery with relevant authorities.
The responsibility of the ANC structures is to fight for the development of society.
“We are going to hold branch leaders accountable for being unable to take up issues raised by the community. We have noted the intervention of Provincial and National government led by Deputy President Cde David Mabuza in Maluti-a-Phofung of ensuring sustainable provision of electricity. This intervention must bring a lasting solution to challenges between the Municipality and ESKOM and more so consistent provision of electricity to residents of Maluti-a-Phofung. We shall engage the national government further on this matter to ensure that the people of Maluti-a-Phofung get a lasting solution to this problem.”
Another focal point of the IPC will be to monitor speedy implementation of District Development model to close silo planning and address challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment.
“Economic reconstruction, we are concerned by the high rate of unemployment among young people. As a result, the IPC will soon deliberate on the state of Free State economy and craft the strategy to turn the situation around.”
The IPC was elected after ANC PEC elected in 2018 was dissolved by the Supreme Court of Appeal and a decision was taken not to appeal the verdict.
Instead, ANC decided to renew the organisation through an important path, as resolved in the last national conference, of unity.
It is through that path that the ANC resolved to establish this Interim Provincial Committee.
The IPC members acknowledged and accepted their appointment by the National Working Committee. “We therefore understand the huge task to renew and unite the organization. The IPC further deeply reflected on the causes of disunity in the province and identified gate keeping, careerism, personality cult, political intolerance as some of the tendencies that IPC must get rid of in its path to renew the organization. Over the years different generations of ANC members contributed to some negative tendencies one way or another. The ANC is a living organization therefore its members are alive to the character and values of the organization and find it in their consciousness to strive for a strong organization and take efforts to renew and unite the organization.”
