The ANC's national leadership believes the Eastern Cape has turned the corner after a turbulent year marked by factional battles, branch disputes, and a collapsed provincial elective conference. The province remains one of the few where the ANC commands an outright majority, making it crucial to the party's electoral performance. President Cyril Ramaphosa and national executive committee (NEC) member Mmamoloko Kubayi are confident that efforts to reunite warring factions are bearing fruit.
The divisions in the Eastern Cape centred on supporters of provincial chair Oscar Mabuyane and provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi, who were set to face off for the province's top party position in March. The conference collapsed amid disputes, triggering court battles and leaving the province without elected leadership for two months. However, Kubayi said the national leadership was satisfied with the work done to rebuild the party in the province.
Kubayi stated that the morale of party members is high, and they are working together to ensure an ANC victory in the municipal elections. She said the province has worked hard to make up for lost time after the leadership vacuum, and party structures are now focused on the campaign. Kubayi also mentioned that the divisions that characterised the provincial ANC are now a thing of the past, with leaders campaigning together and conducting door-to-door visits.
Ramaphosa's campaign visit to the Buffalo City metro on Friday, accompanied by Mabuyane and Ngcukayitobi, was presented as a show of unity ahead of the elections. Kubayi said she was satisfied with the party's preparations in Buffalo City, where council disputes had previously raised concerns about its cohesion. The ANC's national leadership believes that the party's unity in the province will serve it well in the elections.
Kubayi acknowledged that negative reports on social media had previously prompted her to assess whether the situation on the ground matched what was being reported. However, she said the NEC had intervened to engage party members and provide support, which has helped to consolidate the party's efforts. Kubayi expressed confidence that the ANC will deliver the province on November 4.
Ramaphosa also dismissed suggestions that divisions remained within the provincial party during his visit to Buffalo City. He stated that the province is truly united and that the unity displayed is going to serve the party well in the elections. Ramaphosa will return to the province on November 1 for the party's final election push and national Siyanqoba rally at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
The ANC's Eastern Cape unity is seen as a significant boost to the party's electoral performance in the province. Kubayi said an ANC loss in a municipality would have consequences beyond the party's councillors, affecting municipal employees and communities through possible policy changes under a new administration. The party's efforts to project unity and cohesion ahead of the elections are seen as crucial to its success in the province.
Key points
- The ANC's national leadership believes the Eastern Cape has turned the corner after a turbulent year marked by factional battles and disputes.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa and NEC member Mmamoloko Kubayi express confidence in the party's unity in the Eastern Cape ahead of the November 4 municipal elections.
- The ANC's unity in the province is seen as crucial to its electoral performance, with the party commanding an outright majority in the Eastern Cape.
