Mthembu: Cut the media and communicate directly to public via WhatsApp

Jackson Mthembu has this evening disclosed that ANC delegates at this year’s national conference have resolved that the era of relying on the media to distribute party’s messages to its stakeholders is long gone.

He said that in the “battle of ideas” commission, it was resolved ICT be used as an instrument to convey messages.

“The structures must not hear what ANC has decided through a statement released by Zizi [Kodwa]. It must have a strategy on how to communicate unhindered. We must have a direct line with all our regions and branches.

“We must make effective use of ICT instruments. They made an example that at this conference that delegates were able to be communicated through ICTs, whatsapp. What is so difficult for the ANC to put it in its DNA so that all these structures are not dependent on press statement and the media for information,” he asked the media.

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He said the party is concerned by inability of its leaders to communicate effectively and to address this deficiency it was resolved “that our political education syllabus must include a chapter of political communication.”

“All of us from ANC leaders at all levels and deployees of the ANC at all levels including ministers, speakers, chief whips, members of parliament must be trained on political communication. Communications must be prioritised by the ANC.

“How do you engage in the battle of ideas if you can’t communicate your ideas and policies. You must be able to communicate our wonderful, pro-poor policies.

“You can’t leave this function to chance. We will be zooming on this function being professionalised. We need good dedicated cadres of the ANC tasked with communicating. They will receive requisite trainin,” Mthembu said.

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