THE NEWLY elected Amathole ANC regional leadership has committed to improve working relations between itself and the party’s provincial headquarters in pursuit of a united ANC.
In his inaugural speech, Amathole regional chairman Sakhumzi Somyo said it was important there were good working relationships between all structures of the ANC, starting at branch level, for the ANC to succeed.
“There can’t be functional branches without functional subregions. There can’t be functional subregions without functional regions, and so it is important for us as the leadership to have good working relations between our regional structure and the province,” said Somyo.
The Daily Dispatch reported on strained relations between the Somyo-led Amathole interim regional task team (IRT) and the office of provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane during the past year.
The IRT was appointed two years ago to lead the region to an elective conference after the region was divided into two regions because of new demarcations. Another part of Amathole is now Buffalo City Metro.
But the region has struggled to meet and elect new leadership for two years until this week as clashing “parallel structures” made it impossible for branch meetings to sit.
Early this year Mabuyane’s office recommended that the IRT be disbanded for failing to carry out its mandate, but this was rejected by the provincial executive committee (PEC).
More than 50 Amathole ANC members were suspended from the organisation for attacking Mabuyane and other provincial leaders when they marched to Calata House over disputes of local government nomination lists in 2011. But Mabuyane defended his actions , saying he was only implementing ANC rules and was guided by the PEC collective in all his decisions.
Offering an olive branch, Somyo said events leading to the conference were a learning curve, and a reflection of challenges the party faced at branch level. “These delegates represent people on the ground from wards and branches.
“These are the engines of the organisation, where unity should be central. have committed to create ANC branches whose membership will walk in the footstep of our late leaders like Chris Hani, Oliver Tambo and not put the ANC in disrepute,” said Somyo. Two lineups contested the region leadership, Somyo winning against Fundile Gade.
“When we came to this conference, different people supported different lineups . But finally, the conference elected a leadership which would lead everyone. This leadership has to listen to what branches have to say about their tomorrow.
“They are not leaders of a faction. They are here to build the ANC in Amathole. We must put an end to factional divisions and build a united organisation ,” said Somyo.
An additional 20 members were also elected on Wednesday a nd the conference’s electoral commissioner Malandeli Tengimfene said the ANC principle of 50/50 for women and men had been applied.
Additional regional leaders include: Former Mnquma mayor Nomlindo Dyantyi; Amahlathi Mayor Mncekeleli Peter; ANC Youth League Amathole regional secretary Luyanda Sovasi; Nkonkobe’s municipal manager Khanyile Maneli; Mnquma ANC Chief Whip Zibutho Mnqwazi as well as Nosi Booi; Thulisa Camagu; Silulami Nelani; Nomthandazo Plaatjie; Nombulelo Plaatjie; Nceba Ndakisa; Nozizwe Rulashe; Mimi Magadla; Thobani Pakade; Zukisa Joel and Mandla Thelekani.
Somyo offers olive branch
In his inaugural speech, Amathole regional chairman Sakhumzi Somyo said it was important there were good working relationships between all structures of the ANC, starting at branch level, for the ANC to succeed.
“There can’t be functional branches without functional subregions. There can’t be functional subregions without functional regions, and so it is important for us as the leadership to have good working relations between our regional structure and the province,” said Somyo.
The Daily Dispatch reported on strained relations between the Somyo-led Amathole interim regional task team (IRT) and the office of provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane during the past year.
The IRT was appointed two years ago to lead the region to an elective conference after the region was divided into two regions because of new demarcations. Another part of Amathole is now Buffalo City Metro.
But the region has struggled to meet and elect new leadership for two years until this week as clashing “parallel structures” made it impossible for branch meetings to sit.
Early this year Mabuyane’s office recommended that the IRT be disbanded for failing to carry out its mandate, but this was rejected by the provincial executive committee (PEC).
More than 50 Amathole ANC members were suspended from the organisation for attacking Mabuyane and other provincial leaders when they marched to Calata House over disputes of local government nomination lists in 2011. But Mabuyane defended his actions , saying he was only implementing ANC rules and was guided by the PEC collective in all his decisions.
Offering an olive branch, Somyo said events leading to the conference were a learning curve, and a reflection of challenges the party faced at branch level. “These delegates represent people on the ground from wards and branches.
“These are the engines of the organisation, where unity should be central. have committed to create ANC branches whose membership will walk in the footstep of our late leaders like Chris Hani, Oliver Tambo and not put the ANC in disrepute,” said Somyo. Two lineups contested the region leadership, Somyo winning against Fundile Gade.
“When we came to this conference, different people supported different lineups . But finally, the conference elected a leadership which would lead everyone. This leadership has to listen to what branches have to say about their tomorrow.
“They are not leaders of a faction. They are here to build the ANC in Amathole. We must put an end to factional divisions and build a united organisation ,” said Somyo.
An additional 20 members were also elected on Wednesday a nd the conference’s electoral commissioner Malandeli Tengimfene said the ANC principle of 50/50 for women and men had been applied.
Additional regional leaders include: Former Mnquma mayor Nomlindo Dyantyi; Amahlathi Mayor Mncekeleli Peter; ANC Youth League Amathole regional secretary Luyanda Sovasi; Nkonkobe’s municipal manager Khanyile Maneli; Mnquma ANC Chief Whip Zibutho Mnqwazi as well as Nosi Booi; Thulisa Camagu; Silulami Nelani; Nomthandazo Plaatjie; Nombulelo Plaatjie; Nceba Ndakisa; Nozizwe Rulashe; Mimi Magadla; Thobani Pakade; Zukisa Joel and Mandla Thelekani.
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