Ramaphosa-backing Northern Cape looking forward to ANC elective conference

Northern Cape, South Africa’s richest manganese province, may be small in size and population, but with 279 delegates it is sending to the ANC national elective conference next week, it has made it clear where its political loyalties lie – 221 nomination votes for President Cyril Ramaphosa, zero for Dr Zweli Mkhize and three for Lindiwe Sisulu.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Citizen, ANC provincial spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said the party’s provincial executive committee (PEC), guided the ANC-led government in its workings “to create a better life for the masses of our people”.

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“Continued engagements are held in fostering our vision.

“A typical example is through ANC lekgotlas (gatherings). This in an effort to measure and improve what ought to be delivered for fundamental socioeconomic change,” said Mothibi.

On political stability in the Northern Cape, Mothibi said: “It should be noted that for the first time ever in the history of the ANC, in having staged BGMs with a 100% outcome – meaning each of our branches will be sending delegates to the 55th national conference.

While the ANC in the province was “not as well-funded as the Democratic Alliance, we are different in mass character and grassroots appeal”.

“We remain the only hope for millions of South Africans trapped in poverty,” he said.

“We ought to step up our efforts in reclaiming lost ground by working tirelessly on the image of the ANC and solidify the delivery of services,” said Mothibi.

“Our frustration of each election – voter apathy – will certainly get a knock once we deal with issues genuinely and with sincerity.

“The element of disgruntlement is what we ought to grapple with.”

On the economic front, Mothibi said the Northern Cape was “making serious economic headways being mirrored by our unemployment statistics which are the lowest in the country”.

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“Mining, which has dwindled elsewhere, is enjoying a sunrise epoch in this province.

“Being South Africa’s solar energy hub has provided thousands of jobs in over a decade of the renewable energy advent.

“Our focus now is in harnessing SMME development in this burgeoning industry.

“It’s a conducive environment for foreign direct investments as witnessed in the renewable energy space where we were able to create a panacea for job creation,” said Mothibi.

“The latest developments at are set to spark over 2 000 jobs. Then there’s the Green Hydrogen project at Boegoebaai which is also set to catapult us to the fore of in the renewable energy sector.

“But dealing with the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality shall forever be our preoccupation.

“The Sol Plaatje University is key for our modern economy and what we also ought to put sharp focus on is in cultivating a new breed of artisans that match the demands of the industries and at the same time bolster entrepreneurship for alignment.”

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