The ANC’s Joe Gqabi region has elected new leaders uncontested during their elective conference at the weekend.
Joe Gqabi is the ANC’s second smallest region in the Eastern Cape after Sarah Baartman.
Of the region’s 47 branches, only two were unable to participate, and a total of 138 voting delegates, including ANC leagues and the regional executive committee (REC), participated.
All five positions in the top five were returned unopposed.
Zibonele Dumzela, who is also the district mayor of Joe Gqabi, retained his position as chairman.
Nalisile Mateta was elected his deputy while the position of secretary was filled by Mfundo Bongela. Phakiso Belebesi was returned as deputy secretary and the position of treasurer was filled by Bulelwa Kweyiya.
While the nomination process went smoothly, the Daily Dispatch understands that during the credentials processes some delegates did not want regional executive members to vote.
The issue was clarified by national executive committee (NEC) representative Nathi Mthethwa, who said they had the right to participate.
Mthethwa’s position was supported by the ANC constitution, which states that: “All members of the regional executive committee shall attend ex-officio as full participants in and as delegates to the conference.”
The newly elected regional leadership is planning to embark on a massive campaign to motivate the people of Sterkspruit to vote in the upcoming local government elections.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, newly elected regional secretary Bongela said the ANC in the region was concerned about the reduction of wards in Senqu municipality, which includes Lady Grey and Sterkspruit.
This was after a lower voter turnout during last year’s national elections.
Sterkspruit has been a sore point for the ANC since 2012 after the formation of the Sterkspruit Civic Association, which wanted its own standalone municipality independent of Lady Grey.
It has a higher population than Lady Grey.
On election day many people decided to stay away from voting stations, some boycotting while others feared possible victimisation.
“We were disappointed after our wards were reduced. We were hoping for an increase instead.
“We decided that we need to embark on a voter education campaign so that people may know that a lower voter turnout leads to such.
“This means the resources will be reduced as well. We are going to intensify our campaigns and voter education,” said Bongela. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
Joe Gqabi elects new ANC regional leaders
Joe Gqabi is the ANC’s second smallest region in the Eastern Cape after Sarah Baartman.
Of the region’s 47 branches, only two were unable to participate, and a total of 138 voting delegates, including ANC leagues and the regional executive committee (REC), participated.
All five positions in the top five were returned unopposed.
Zibonele Dumzela, who is also the district mayor of Joe Gqabi, retained his position as chairman.
Nalisile Mateta was elected his deputy while the position of secretary was filled by Mfundo Bongela. Phakiso Belebesi was returned as deputy secretary and the position of treasurer was filled by Bulelwa Kweyiya.
While the nomination process went smoothly, the Daily Dispatch understands that during the credentials processes some delegates did not want regional executive members to vote.
The issue was clarified by national executive committee (NEC) representative Nathi Mthethwa, who said they had the right to participate.
Mthethwa’s position was supported by the ANC constitution, which states that: “All members of the regional executive committee shall attend ex-officio as full participants in and as delegates to the conference.”
The newly elected regional leadership is planning to embark on a massive campaign to motivate the people of Sterkspruit to vote in the upcoming local government elections.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, newly elected regional secretary Bongela said the ANC in the region was concerned about the reduction of wards in Senqu municipality, which includes Lady Grey and Sterkspruit.
This was after a lower voter turnout during last year’s national elections.
Sterkspruit has been a sore point for the ANC since 2012 after the formation of the Sterkspruit Civic Association, which wanted its own standalone municipality independent of Lady Grey.
It has a higher population than Lady Grey.
On election day many people decided to stay away from voting stations, some boycotting while others feared possible victimisation.
“We were disappointed after our wards were reduced. We were hoping for an increase instead.
“We decided that we need to embark on a voter education campaign so that people may know that a lower voter turnout leads to such.
“This means the resources will be reduced as well. We are going to intensify our campaigns and voter education,” said Bongela. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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