The ANC’s OR Tambo region is holding its much-anticipated regional conference at Khanyisa Primary School in Mthatha this weekend.More than 300 delegates from 137 branches are expected to attend.
The conference was supposed to be held a month ago but was postponed several times.
The Saturday Dispatch understands that the reason behind the delays was that members of the national and provincial executives were urging factions to unite and merge their lineups for the sake of unity.
The Dispatch understands that the Thandekile Sabisa-led lineup has not yet finalised the names of candidates nominated for key leadership positions.
The following lineups have emerged:
lSabisa as chairman, current OR Tambo deputy secretary Lawrence Mambila as deputy chairman, Lulama Ngcukayithobi of King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) as secretary, Ngquza’s Dumisani Mjokovane as deputy secretary and Port St Johns’s Nomkhaya Ndakayi as treasurer.
lAnother lineup has Sabisa as chairman, Phikolomzi Langa of Port St John’s as his deputy, Mambila as secretary, Mjokovane as his deputy and Ndakayi as treasurer.
lThe third lineup has Mhlontlo’s Xolile Nkompela to contest Sabisa’s chairman position, Pat Mdingi for the position of deputy chairman, Ngcukayithobi as secretary, Nyandeni’s Mesuli Ngqondwana for deputy secretary and Port St Johns’s Zandile Mdoda as treasurer.
Yesterday afternoon delegates started going into the registration point at the OR Tambo Hall in Southernwood.
When the Dispatch arrived at the hall early yesterday, only a handful of ANC staff members, led by provincial deputy secretary Helen Sauls-August, and security guards had arrived.
The last regional conference, which was held in 2012, was so full of drama that it had to be cancelled just as the results were about to be announced. Two members of parliament even came to blows on the stage.
However, the regional leadership says members are more united.
Regional deputy secretary Lawrence Mambila said this year’s conference would be different from the chaotic 2012 conference.
“There is no fuss, no fights, we are working together as the leadership and branch delegates ... Even with delegates there has been no contestation about who is supposed to be here or not.
“We are appealing to each and every delegate to be cognisant of the fact that the time has arrived for us to unite the organisation.”
He said the political, organisation and treasurer’s reports would be delivered today.
“We are going to go to the commissions to outline our programme of action. Each commission will discuss the elections programme and organisational renewal.”
OR Tambo ANC region finally holds conference
More than 300 delegates from 137 branches are expected to attend.
The conference was supposed to be held a month ago but was postponed several times.
The Saturday Dispatch understands that the reason behind the delays was that members of the national and provincial executives were urging factions to unite and merge their lineups for the sake of unity.
The Dispatch understands that the Thandekile Sabisa-led lineup has not yet finalised the names of candidates nominated for key leadership positions.
The following lineups have emerged:
lSabisa as chairman, current OR Tambo deputy secretary Lawrence Mambila as deputy chairman, Lulama Ngcukayithobi of King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) as secretary, Ngquza’s Dumisani Mjokovane as deputy secretary and Port St Johns’s Nomkhaya Ndakayi as treasurer.
lAnother lineup has Sabisa as chairman, Phikolomzi Langa of Port St John’s as his deputy, Mambila as secretary, Mjokovane as his deputy and Ndakayi as treasurer.
lThe third lineup has Mhlontlo’s Xolile Nkompela to contest Sabisa’s chairman position, Pat Mdingi for the position of deputy chairman, Ngcukayithobi as secretary, Nyandeni’s Mesuli Ngqondwana for deputy secretary and Port St Johns’s Zandile Mdoda as treasurer.
Yesterday afternoon delegates started going into the registration point at the OR Tambo Hall in Southernwood.
When the Dispatch arrived at the hall early yesterday, only a handful of ANC staff members, led by provincial deputy secretary Helen Sauls-August, and security guards had arrived.
The last regional conference, which was held in 2012, was so full of drama that it had to be cancelled just as the results were about to be announced. Two members of parliament even came to blows on the stage.
However, the regional leadership says members are more united.
Regional deputy secretary Lawrence Mambila said this year’s conference would be different from the chaotic 2012 conference.
“There is no fuss, no fights, we are working together as the leadership and branch delegates ... Even with delegates there has been no contestation about who is supposed to be here or not.
“We are appealing to each and every delegate to be cognisant of the fact that the time has arrived for us to unite the organisation.”
He said the political, organisation and treasurer’s reports would be delivered today.
“We are going to go to the commissions to outline our programme of action. Each commission will discuss the elections programme and organisational renewal.”
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