National ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete on Friday told delegates attending the ANC’s 8th Provincial Conference in KwaZulu-Natal to stop the bickering and infighting between them.
"We don’t have to lie to ourselves. We have to acknowledge that there were bumps. It was bumpy, but it’s enough now," said Mbete at the opening of the first day of the elective conference at the Royal Show Grounds in Pietermaritzburg.
About 1 300 delegates were expected to elect new leadership at the highly contested race between provincial chairperson Senzo Mchunu and provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala.
In a frank discussion with the delegates, Mbete told them to take a leaf out of the recent National General Council.
"Over the next three days we have to be disciplined and constructive in the manner in which we conduct ourselves.
"We can differ, but we should differ constructively. Let us be honest and open and make sure that we stick to a respectful manner of engaging even in our differences."
Mbete also touched on unity.
"Let us be united in our understanding that none of us are more important than the ANC."
"Stop with the signs, there will be a moment where you can go and express your views - and we will express different views - but that does not make us enemies.
"We will not be enemies when we are cadres of the ANC. Let us differ on who we believe and who we will vote for, but that cannot make us enemies.”
She said focusing on representing the views of the branches was more important.
"We need to make sure that the ANC continues to be the leader of our society, in particular in KZN... When we are divided, we are weak.
"When we are busy at each others' throats, we don’t even notice that we are becoming weak. We cannot be taken seriously, even by our people, who are watching us when we differ.
"They are not impressed when we differ, bickering amongst ourselves and causing confusion."
Mbete said the conference gave the party a platform to organise itself into a strong force ahead of the 2016 local government elections.
Source: News24
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