MBOMBELA – This is one of the toughest elections that the ruling party will be facing after a very trying year in which Zuma’s leadership had been challenged with calls for him to relinquish the position.
His leadership will be put to the test on Saturday because he is expected to lay the foundation of the ANC’s supremacy in the light of increasing support for the opposition parties like the DA which has made great strides judging from the last general elections in 2014.
The EFF led by Julius Malema should not be ignored as one of their main objectives is to wrestle power from the ANC at local government level, which is the core of service delivery.
At local level, the Bushbuckridge Residents Association (BRA) can also not be ignored as a threat to take over the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality.
In order for the ANC to survive, in Zuma’s speech on Saturday, he needs to include practicable plans to overcome people’s concerns on the continued ANC dominance at all levels of governance.
The acceleration of service delivery is one of the strongest components that shall be an answer to the ruling party’s supremacy.
The speech will also set the tone for the State of the Nation Address (Sona) he is expected to deliver later this month, which will subsequently be followed by various state of the province addresses (Sopa).
Provincial ANC chairperson, Mr David Mabuza is expected to lead a provincial delegation that will comprise among others his deputy Ms Violet Siwela, secretary Mr Mandala Ndlovu, deputy secretary Ms Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, provincial treasurer Mr Vusi Shongwe, as well as the ANC chief whip in the legislature, Mr Johan Mkhatshwa.
Change in the leadership structure is expeceted after the local government elections as it is expected that the provincial leadership will conform to the demands of the ANC Youth League to have a 40 per cent representation in local government.
Winds of change are likely to start blowing as the ruling party is expected to officially announce its local government candidates on March 12.
