Port Elizabeth – The uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) in Nelson Mandela Bay has acknowledged support for the ANC in the Eastern Cape was “dwindling”.
At a press conference on Monday, Regional Executive Committee Chairperson Ntsikelelo Kwezi said that the organisation had taken a back seat for long time while they observed things unfolding “incorrectly” both politically and economically.
Responding to a question, Kwezi conceded that factionalism had added to the party’s drop in support.
“We cannot deny that, there are many problems that the ANC is facing to date. As a result of practices..that also includes the issues of factionalism that is also there,” said Kwezi.
“We cannot deny it, but we are coming out as the MKMVA now to attend to the matter. We have been quite for too long, its been 22 years and people even forgot that we exist. People have been asking where we have been under the circumstances.”
He said that the MKMVA decided three years ago to come out of their “cocoon” based on a strategy aimed at “rescuing the fortunes” of the ANC in the region.
Kwezi said previous “damage” done in Nelson Mandela Bay was starting to being reversed under the leadership of Executive Mayor Danny Jordaan, who the MKMVA believes has brought “political leadership and stability” to Nelson Mandela Bay.
“We have seen a lack of leadership within the last five to seven years. Under the leadership of Mayor Jordaan we have seen the launch of the much anticipated metro police. Mayor Jordaan has been able to deliver in less than a year,” said Kwezi.
“To crown the cherry on top he (Jordaan) has appointed an MK ex-combatant to be the executive administrative head of the Metro Police. The appointment of Comrade Linda Mti, a member of the Madinoga Detachment in MK ranks, is just what this region wanted. We are overjoyed by his appointment and in full support as MK in this region.
“We have decided that Comrade Danny Jordaan, is our preferred choice for the positions of executive mayor after the August 3 local government elections as well as the regional chairperson of the ANC … come the ANC Regional Conference.” said Kwezi.
The MKMVA further called on ex-commanders and commissars, workers and students to support Jordaan and the ANC come election day.
African News Agency