People to choose ANC candidates

The African National Congress(ANC) followers came in large numbers to celebrate the party’s 104 anniversary at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg. Picture: Itumeleng English 09.01.2016

The African National Congress(ANC) followers came in large numbers to celebrate the party’s 104 anniversary at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg. Picture: Itumeleng English 09.01.2016

Published Jan 10, 2016

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Rustenburg - ANC branches have been stripped of their powers to select which leaders may stand as party candidates for this year’s local government elections, with these now being given to communities.

This is among the moves the party will be making to regain the trust of communities ahead of the local government elections.

Set to fight one of its toughest local government election battles, including the fight to keep the four major metros, ANC branches will nominate three candidates who will be interrogated in a community meeting, with one candidate chosen.

While this strategy was emphasised by the party at its most recent National General Council, it was also outlined by President Jacob Zuma on Saturday as part of giving power back to the people.

This is significant, as the local government elections are more about local issues and the process would see communities reject leaders who may be influential in branches but unpopular in communities.

“The ANC believes that our local government representatives must have the trust and confidence of the community where they live and serve,” said Zuma.

He told ANC members and supporters at the January 8 statement rally on Saturday, to wild cheers from the crowd, that ANC branches would not be allowed to impose candidates on communities.

“We remind branches that we select three nominees at an ANC branch meeting and present our nominees at a community meeting. The community is then given an opportunity to interrogate these nominees and to give their views on who must be the candidate.

“The ANC branch must, unless there are overwhelming and compelling reasons to the contrary, confirm the nominee who holds the majority of community support,” said Zuma.

 

Zuma urged members in ANC branches to ensure there was “direct hands-on support for and monitoring of the work of municipalities, and that there is meaningful participation of citizens in municipalities”.

While the January 8 statement placed emphasis on the pressing issues of local government and education, particularly higher education, Zuma also used the statement to address the current, raging national debate on the issue of racism.

He acknowledged that while much had been done to transform South Africa into a non-racial society, pockets of racism were still rife in the country.

“The ANC calls on all people of this country to work together and defeat the demons of racialism and tribalism.

“It is clear that there is a tiny minority that still harbours a desire for separate amenities and who idolise apartheid-era leaders who made our country the skunk of the world.

“These people do not represent the true character of the new South Africa. They are living in the past,” he said.

He linked the issue of racism to the economic legacy of apartheid, saying these were linked as the result of more than 300 years of systematic discrimination.

“There must be redress and ongoing active interventions to ensure that all our people benefit, equitably, from our freedom. Economic freedom must become a reality in our lifetime!

“We shall ensure that we end racial exploitation in all its forms and wherever it occurs: in the workplace, in the education system, the health sector, in the administration of justice, in access to government services and in the private sector,” said Zuma.

Sunday Independent

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