Johannesburg – The African National Congress’ national general council (NGC) meeting in Midrand, Johannesburg, enters its second day on Saturday.
The council, held between elective conferences, examines progress made in implementing policies adopted at the party’s 2012 Mangaung conference. The council cannot change policies or resolutions adopted at national conferences.
President Jacob Zuma’s political report was tabled on Friday, followed by secretary general Gwede Mantashe’s organisational report and treasurer Zweli Mkhize’s financial report.
Both Zuma and Mantashe bemoaned the ANC’s declining support base. Zuma said ANC membership numbers had declined to 769 000 from over one million in 2012.
He blamed the decline on manipulation of members through “gate-keeping and bulk buying of votes”, particularly at branch level.
Mantashe said infighting and factionalism had eroded the ruling party’s support base. He warned against the possibility of ANC support dipping by 60 percent ahead of the next year’s local government elections. The ANC, as part of its organisational renewal, should also work on strengthening the tri-partite alliance, he said.
Categories of delegates at the council include branches, the leagues of the ANC, tri-partite alliance partners, the national executive committee, provincial executive committees, regional executive committees, and Umkhonto WeSizwe Military Veterans’ Association.
Saturday will see delegates breaking into commissions to discuss policy proposals and make recommendations.
The council’s recommendations will be tabled at the ANC’s elective conference in 2017. The NGC ends on Sunday.
African News Agency