Contralesa in the Eastern Cape will finally convene its elective provincial conference tomorrow, two years after it was due to be held.
A total of 200 delegates are expected to attend the conference at Hill Top Hall in Nkululekweni in Mthatha.
The conference was initially due to take place in 2013 but was postponed numerous times due to branches not being in good standing.
As a result, the provincial leadership is seen as an “unconstitutional structure”.
But the leadership this week confirmed it was all systems go for this week’s conference.
Acting provincial Contralesa secretary Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, said they were satisfied with the progress as far as preparations were concerned. “Ten branches have already been launched, but 15 others have yet to be launched as some do not have membership.”
Contralesa last held an elective conference in 2009 when Nonkonyana was removed as Eastern Cape chairman – a position he had held for almost two decades.
The conference elected Chief Ngubo Mgcotyelwa, an ordained pastor, as provincial chairman while Chief Nkosinathi Jezile, also an ordained pastor, was elected deputy.
Mgcotyelwa died a few months after he was elected and Jezile took over in an acting capacity. Last year, Nonkonyana was co-opted as the acting provincial secretary.
Contralesa president Setlamorago Thobejane confirmed that the date was known to the national office.
The conference was scheduled to take place on October 30 but was later changed to November 13 to 15.
Now, they have settled on November 27. Nonkonyana said this has been done to allow traditional leaders time to organise themselves to revitalise Contralesa in the province to be the sole, authentic voice of traditional leadership.
The national leadership, including Thobejane, visited the province and met with the extended provincial executive committee on November 12. Jezile said the conference was initially set for three days, but due to lack of funds, was reduced to only one day.
“On the day there will be only the election of the leadership, nothing else. Other businesses and organisational matters will be discussed in a special general council after the conference,” Jezile said.
All systems go for Contralesa’s delayed elective conference
A total of 200 delegates are expected to attend the conference at Hill Top Hall in Nkululekweni in Mthatha.
The conference was initially due to take place in 2013 but was postponed numerous times due to branches not being in good standing.
As a result, the provincial leadership is seen as an “unconstitutional structure”.
But the leadership this week confirmed it was all systems go for this week’s conference.
Acting provincial Contralesa secretary Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, said they were satisfied with the progress as far as preparations were concerned. “Ten branches have already been launched, but 15 others have yet to be launched as some do not have membership.”
Contralesa last held an elective conference in 2009 when Nonkonyana was removed as Eastern Cape chairman – a position he had held for almost two decades.
The conference elected Chief Ngubo Mgcotyelwa, an ordained pastor, as provincial chairman while Chief Nkosinathi Jezile, also an ordained pastor, was elected deputy.
Mgcotyelwa died a few months after he was elected and Jezile took over in an acting capacity. Last year, Nonkonyana was co-opted as the acting provincial secretary.
Contralesa president Setlamorago Thobejane confirmed that the date was known to the national office.
The conference was scheduled to take place on October 30 but was later changed to November 13 to 15.
Now, they have settled on November 27. Nonkonyana said this has been done to allow traditional leaders time to organise themselves to revitalise Contralesa in the province to be the sole, authentic voice of traditional leadership.
The national leadership, including Thobejane, visited the province and met with the extended provincial executive committee on November 12. Jezile said the conference was initially set for three days, but due to lack of funds, was reduced to only one day.
“On the day there will be only the election of the leadership, nothing else. Other businesses and organisational matters will be discussed in a special general council after the conference,” Jezile said.
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