Conference to debate critical issues

IT’S official. The much anticipated Musa Dladla ANC regional conference will be held at the weekend on Friday and Saturday at the University of Zululand’s Bhekuzulu Hall.

This was the word from current regional Chairman Thulani Mashaba.

Speaking to the Zululand Observer last week, Mashaba said despite a bumpy start to the preparations which was characterised internal turmoil, he believed the conference would be successful.

Mashaba, who has been nominated as Chairman along with former NUMSA President Cedric Gina, said it’s all systems go for the ANC delegates to converge at Unizulu to map the way forward.

‘We are going to this conference knowing that we have had objections and complaints from some branches in relation to Branch General Meeting (BGM) processes, but all of them have been dealt with by the Province. Our Provincial Executive Committee, led by Chairman Senzo Mchunu and Secretary Sihle Zikalala, have given us a thumps up to proceed.

‘We are expecting about 700 people, including members of the provincial and national executive committees.

He said the main focus areas would be a combination of electing new leadership and addressing public service delivery issues and unemployment.

‘We will discuss at length whether we are still on the right track or whether we have deviated from our original position as some sections of our society might believe.

‘The conference will provide a platform where we will have to confront the triple challenge of inequality, poverty and unemployment. We will have to deliberate on issues pertaining to economic development as a means to fight unemployment,’ Mashaba said.