Durban - The ANC wanted its leaders “on the ground”, including councillors, to engage more with the communities they served, the party’s KwaZulu-Natal secretary, Sihle Zikalala, said on Sunday.
Addressing the party’s election volunteers, who braved the rain at Curries Fountain in Durban, Zikalala downplayed talk of division in its ranks.
The volunteers will, in the run-up to next year’s election, embark on a door-to-door campaign urging people to take to the polls and vote for the ANC.
The ruling party said that it would test its strength in the eThekwini ward 70 by-election next month. The ward was left vacant when Minority Front councillor Cassimjee Ismail defected to the DA.
“If we want to win this election, it is of paramount importance that we unite, but we have to work together - everyone has to be part of the campaign,” he said.
Making reference to the Cato Manor civic organisation Abahlali BaseMjondolo, he said the eThekwini Municipality should create a platform to engage with the organisation’s leaders.
The party held its list conference at the weekend at which branches voted for the candidates who would represent it in Parliament and the provincial legislature after the election.
The KwaZulu-Natal list will be consolidated and sent to the party’s election committee for vetting.
The final list will be revealed at a national list conference before the end of the year.
Speaking at the Umbumbulu Peace and Reconciliation Initiative on Sunday, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu said political violence was more prevalent in the province than elsewhere.
“Let us show that we can govern ourselves and solve our differences amicably,” he said.
The Mercury