ANC revamp to end party strife

09 January 2012 - 09:53 By SIBUSISO NGALWA, SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA, CAIPHUS KGOSANA and THABO MOKONE
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Gwede Mantashe, Jacob Zuma, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jeff Radebe cut the ANC birthday cake during the celebration of the party's centenary at Mangaung, Bloemfontein, yesterday.
Gwede Mantashe, Jacob Zuma, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jeff Radebe cut the ANC birthday cake during the celebration of the party's centenary at Mangaung, Bloemfontein, yesterday.
Image: SIMPHIWE NKWALI

THE ANC, which threw a massive 100th birthday party yesterday, plans to change the way in which its leaders are elected to protect the organisation from the influence of money and divisive leadership battles.

THE ANC, which threw a massive 100th birthday party yesterday, plans to change the way in which its leaders are elected to protect the organisation from the influence of money and divisive leadership battles.

More than 100000 people flocked to the Free State stadium in Bloemfontein to celebrate the party's centenary.

President Jacob Zuma delivered a two-hour speech that focused on the history of the ANC and its struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

In its centenary statement, the ANC's national executive committee outlined plans to modernise and end the bruising leadership battles that have characterised the party's post-exile era.

"Leadership development shall be accompanied by a review of the leadership election system of the ANC in order to enhance internal democracy, credibility of the process as well as the integrity and suitability of candidates," the NEC said.

"This will protect the ANC from the tyranny of factions and money, and ensure that the organisation is led by the most experienced, most committed, most talented and best collective."

ANC leaders are elected through a system in which branches nominate candidates. The branch nominees must then be endorsed by regional and provincial bodies, and the winners are ratified at elective ANC conferences.

But the existing system has been characterised by factionalism and chaos, with rival factions often working to unfairly sideline opponents.

This means that power-brokers dispensing the most sought-after patronage are able to dictate who gets elected to leadership positions.

The NEC did not say how it plans to change the system.

There is likely to be stiff resistance to change from party structures to any plans to change the leadership election system.

There was tight security around the Free State stadium yesterday. This extended to the two stadiums that accommodated the people who could not be admitted to Free State stadium. They watched the proceedings on giant TV screens.

Attempts to disrupt the event were thwarted when a small group of unruly Julius Malema supporters was immediately called to order by ANC chairman Baleka Mbete.

There were fears that Malema's supporters planned to ridicule and otherwise embarrass Zuma when he spoke. A small group of vocal Malema supporters from Limpopo tried to heckle Zuma but their catcalls were drowned out by the rest of the crowd.

Zuma spent a lot of time relating the country's history and acknowledging struggle icons, including Robert Sobukwe and Steve Biko, leaders of the Pan Africanist Congress and the Black Consciousness Movement respectively.

He outlined plans to strengthen the ANC at branch level and at its headquarters.

Measures include improving the management of the membership system and building well-trained, competent, decently paid and highly motivated full-time employees.

The ANC is battling to retain talent at its headquarters as it competes with the government and the private sector for skills.

The party plans to improve its communications with its support base and expand membership through grassroots mobilisation and engaging with communities.

It will also look at the composition of its branches.

Zuma said: "We should consider reorganising the branch of the ANC into voting districts, street committees and cell structures whose primary focus is to solve community problems and improve activism around development issues in communities."

ANC branches have been criticised for not being active in communities. Most are active only just before leadership elections.

Zuma announced to loud applause that the party had passed the million-member mark.

KwaZulu-Natal is the ANC's biggest province, with 244000 members, followed by the Eastern Cape with 222000. The Northern Cape, with 32000 members remains its smallest province.

Festivities started in the morning with a service at the Wesleyan church in Waaihoek, where the ANC was founded in 1912 as the SA Native National Congress.

Inside Free State stadium an elaborate dome-shaped wrap covered the raised platform to create a stage that Zuma shared with members of his executive and a few guests.

ANC flags decorated every corner of the stadium. Party logos were carved into the lawns.

On each side of the stage were large rectangular boxes draped with ANC flags, each bearing the face of the ANC's 12 presidents.

Camouflage-uniformed MK veterans formed a guard of honour to welcome those ascending the stage. They formed a ring around Zuma, escorting him around the venue as he greeted the crowd before joining the rest of the party leaders on stage.

The centenary flame, carried by ANC veterans and former president Thabo Mbeki was handed to Motlanthe and Zuma.

The skies opened soon after Zuma's speech and emptied the stadium as the crowd ran for cover.

The rain affected a drama, song and dance extravaganza termed Tshihumbudzo - the remembrance told the ANC story, covering its 100 years in 100 minutes.

It featured Dorothy Masuku, Vusi Mahlasela, Judith Sephuma and other artists.

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