The recent ANC Regional General Council meeting on the West Rand was a success. More than 400 branch delegates representing about 70 per cent of the total number of ANC branches on the West Rand deliberated from 18 to 20 November on the challenges facing the ANC and governance.
Branches noted with concern the poor performance of the ANC during local government elections that took place on 3 August and the negative publicity on President Jacob Zuma and some cabinet members. One of the key resolutions taken by ANC branches was to defend the ANC and the country’s constitution, and not outsource it to opposition parties and civil society groups as this will continue to project the ANC in a bad light for many years to come.
The ANC has long chosen the side of the people, therefore only the ANC can ensure that its decisions are never in conflict with the people of South Africa. This begs the ANC at all levels to listen to the people of South Africa and not to display arrogance and dismissive behaviour. The ANC should remain a people’s parliament. All that is needed is the centre to hold at all levels of the ANC.
The Regional General Council resolved to fight regionalism and tribalism at all levels. This will be done through building strong branches that prioritise political development and mass work in order to have no room for characters that are hell bent on helping enemies of the revolution to succeed.
The ANC Regional Council noted the five-year plan adopted by the West Rand District Municipality underpinned by 14 regional outcomes. The Regional Master Plan has been completed and the ANC Regional leadership has requested the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to review the powers of the District Municipality as per section 84(1) of the Municipal Structures Act. This will enable the District to carry out infrastructure development programmes, including issues relating to coordination and the distribution of resources on the West Rand.
The Declaration of Merafong as a localised disaster area has been approved by Merafong City and the WRDM, and has been sent to the Province for approval. This will help the Merafong Municipality to respond to environmental challenges that continues to disrupt municipal services in Khutsong and other areas as experienced by 23 000 people who had no water on the eve of the recent local government elections. Amongst other key decisions, together with the private sector, the ANC led West Rand Government will host Kasi Games during the Festive Season in honour of the Region’s Sports heroes and heroines.
The EPWP office will operate from the West Rand District Municipality for proper regional coordination and standardization of conditions in the EPWP. The WRDA will also be restructured to respond to the imperatives of the Western Corridor. The new WRDA Board will be appointed by the beginning of the year 2017 which is expected to seriously focus on attracting investment and rejuvenating the economy of the West Rand.
The ANC calls on all its dedicated members and supporters to work together in reclaiming the lost ground in Mogale City. We have now entered the stage where we are engaged in the battle to save the citizens of Mogale City from the apartheid ghost of Verwoerd and Paul Kruger. We will not succumb from this battle to free our people, this we will do it politically and legally. The DA government in Mogale City has literally collapsed and the IDP processes are not taking place as per the constitutional requirements. We call on our people to continue supporting the only liberation movement, the ANC in defending the legacy of Rolihlahla Mandela.