CAPE TOWN - Former ANC Eastern Cape chairperson Oscar Mabuyane says the party is under siege and the opposition smelt blood.
"We have a huge responsibility on our shoulders because our movement is under siege from opposition parties. They are smelling blood ahead of the 2024 general elections,” Mabuyane said while delivering his address at the ANC’s provincial elective conference on Saturday.
Voting for new leadership in the Eastern Cape provincial conference was set to begin on Sunday.
“Opposition parties are not shy about campaigning to ensure there is a coalition government in the national space in 2024 and that they want a similar outcome in the KZN and Gauteng provinces.
“A coalition government in the national space will be to the detriment of the development of our province. The leadership collective we are going to elect will have to work extra hard to campaign for a decisive ANC election victory in the national ballot.
“It will also have to reinforce and elect and support campaigns in our sister provinces of KZN, Gauteng and the Western Cape for the ANC to regain lost ground," Mabuyane said.
He blamed an escalation of divisions and factionalism for the problems within the movement.
"The 52nd National Conference noted that 'accumulated weaknesses' include the inability to effectively deal with new tendencies arising from being a ruling party, such as social distance, patronage, careerism, corruption and abuse of power.
"The 54th National Conference deemed that the ANC was distant, inward looking and unable to be an agent of change and connect with communities and the motive forces. It was further observed that the ANC was out of touch with constituencies and motive forces that some within the ranks of the organisation were not schooled in ANC values and goals," said Mabuyane.
Political analyst, Ongama Mtimka, said internal factions within the ANC were more of a threat than the opposition.
"The most consequential threat that the ANC finds itself facing is waged by internal factions within the party. They have the most impact on the party's rapid decline than the role of the opposition," he said.
Director at the School of Public Leadership at Stellenbosch University, Professor Zwelinzima Ndevu, said: "This is a very crucial conference for many people who currently serve at a national level aligned to Mabuyane, it is therefore important for him to demonstrate that he is the popular choice.
“Therefore, any challenge whether real or perceived would be viewed as an attack on the ANC provincial stability. The problems of unity within the province started way before his election as chairperson, so he should be worried."
Cape Times