Ramaphosa applauds ANC for peaceful conference

The president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has applauded the Mpumalanga ANC for hosting a free, fair and peaceful elective conference.

The provincial conference, which saw a new leadership elected, was held at the Witbank Dam in eMalahleni and was hailed as peaceful, not only by Ramaphosa, but by political pundits as well.

This conference attracted the attention of the party’s national executive committee members, such as Zweli Mkhize, who is believed to be gunning for the presidency position, Ronald Lamola, whose name has been thrown into the hat to become the next deputy president, Nathi Mthethwa, Nomvula Mokonyane and Paul Mashatile.

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This was the first ANC conference since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Ramaphosa, who officially closed off the conference, urged party members to always remain “focused” and not be distracted by internal disputes and infightings.

“You came here divided, but you managed to elect a new leadership, one that has pledged to work to unite all the members of the ANC in Mpumalanga and to enable you as you move back to your regions, to be filled with this spirit of renewal and unity. This is a good trend set by the province, that a conference of the ANC can be peaceful and fruitful in the name of unity and renewal of the party,” said Ramaphosa as he addressed the delegates on Sunday.

He said the issue of power and access to resources will have detrimental effects on the ANC if it is not addressed.

“We must rid ourselves of self-serving individuals who want an ANC that serves their interests. The ANC must always come first and individual interests must come second or last,” he cautioned.

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During this conference, Mandla Ndlovu was elected as the new chairperson, with Speedy Mashilo as his deputy. Muzi Chirwa was elected the party’s secretary with Lindiwe Ntshalintshali deputising him.

The conference also elected Mandla Msibi as the new treasurer.

Msibi told Mpumalanga News on Monday that even though he had been elected into this position, he would respect the ANC’s resolution with regard to the stepaside policy.

“I have said it many times before that regardless of what you think of me, the bottom line is that I am a dedicated member of the ANC and I respect all its laws and policies. I will not start a new trend of disobeying this organisation now. I will remain on the sideline until my case is concluded, but I remain humbled to the fact that the ANC magnitude believes in my capabilities to serve and lead,” he said.