THE ANC in KwaZulu-Natal is worried about the decline of its support among Indians and coloureds in the Moses Mabhida region, which incorporates the city of Pietermaritzburg, the provincial capital.
Problems such as the collapse of the Msunduzi municipality under the ANC leadership and allegations of rampant corruption in the council are some of the reasons the party has lost support in these communities.
The municipality was declared cash strapped, prompting the appointment of an intervention team, the administrator and the sacking of the executive members including mayor Zanele Hlatshwayo.
Delivering an open address of the regional elective conference at the Howick Indoor Sports Centre yesterday, ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala admitted that problems in the past few years had cost the organisation dearly.
"There is a perception among people of other race groups that we do not represent their interests. We need to show everyone that the ANC is a non-racial organisation. We now have to ensure that the ANC enjoys the confidence of all races groups in the region," he said.
Zikalala said he was aware that there were people who now linked KwaZulu-Natal with tribalism.
"They claim that we want the president and the entire NEC to be Zulus. That has been done with a purpose to isolate KwaZulu-Natal ahead to the ANC policy conference in June, then elective leadership conference," said Zikalala.
The regional conference will come almost nine months after the chaos that emerged following the ward councillor nomination process that resulted in some members staging "sit-ins" at the ANC regional offices.
Yesterday Zikalala lambasted ill-disciplined members who want to be elected to positions to push their interests.
He said people should remember that they were not elected into the ANC leadership to pursue their interests.
"Councillors should also remember that they are not councillors for themselves. People do not support them as individuals but as members of the ANC," he said.
Zikalala said the tendency of leaders who were a law unto themselves was not acceptable in the ANC.
"People cannot go outside the ANC structures and attack internal processes. Those who did that before like Bantu Holomisa are today sitting lonely in the political periphery.
"Factionalism in the ANC is foreign and unacceptable.
"Quality and unity in the ANC can not be compromised. Leagues should not have constitutions or any clauses and policies that contradict those of the ANC," said Zikalala.
ANC worried about loss of coloured, Indian support
THE ANC in KwaZulu-Natal is worried about the decline of its support among Indians and coloureds in the Moses Mabhida region, which incorporates the city of Pietermaritzburg, the provincial capital.
Problems such as the collapse of the Msunduzi municipality under the ANC leadership and allegations of rampant corruption in the council are some of the reasons the party has lost support in these communities.
The municipality was declared cash strapped, prompting the appointment of an intervention team, the administrator and the sacking of the executive members including mayor Zanele Hlatshwayo.
Delivering an open address of the regional elective conference at the Howick Indoor Sports Centre yesterday, ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala admitted that problems in the past few years had cost the organisation dearly.
"There is a perception among people of other race groups that we do not represent their interests. We need to show everyone that the ANC is a non-racial organisation. We now have to ensure that the ANC enjoys the confidence of all races groups in the region," he said.
Zikalala said he was aware that there were people who now linked KwaZulu-Natal with tribalism.
"They claim that we want the president and the entire NEC to be Zulus. That has been done with a purpose to isolate KwaZulu-Natal ahead to the ANC policy conference in June, then elective leadership conference," said Zikalala.
The regional conference will come almost nine months after the chaos that emerged following the ward councillor nomination process that resulted in some members staging "sit-ins" at the ANC regional offices.
Yesterday Zikalala lambasted ill-disciplined members who want to be elected to positions to push their interests.
He said people should remember that they were not elected into the ANC leadership to pursue their interests.
"Councillors should also remember that they are not councillors for themselves. People do not support them as individuals but as members of the ANC," he said.
Zikalala said the tendency of leaders who were a law unto themselves was not acceptable in the ANC.
"People cannot go outside the ANC structures and attack internal processes. Those who did that before like Bantu Holomisa are today sitting lonely in the political periphery.
"Factionalism in the ANC is foreign and unacceptable.
"Quality and unity in the ANC can not be compromised. Leagues should not have constitutions or any clauses and policies that contradict those of the ANC," said Zikalala.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos