No individual’s opinion on who should be elected to the African National Congress’ national leadership took precedence in Gauteng, the party’s new provincial chairperson Paul Mashatile said on Tuesday.
”In Gauteng there is no individual position, there is no Paul Mashatile position on who we will elect to the national leadership in Limpopo.”
”This is a matter that our branches and other structures will collectively discuss and decide on … as Gauteng we will go to Limpopo united behind what we consider to be the best team to lead the ANC in our country,” Mashatile told delegates at the end of the province’s 10th conference in Midrand.
The ANC will hold its national conference in Polokwane, Limpopo, in December.
Mashatile, reportedly a backer of ANC presidential hopeful Tokyo Sexwale, beat Angie Motshekga in the race to become chairperson at the conference on Sunday.
In his address on Tuesday, Mashatile thanked Motshekga, reportedly a Zuma ally, for her ”sterling leadership” and said the province looked forward to her ”continued contribution”.
He said the province would prepare for the ruling party’s national conference with ”the same dignity and discipline that we have prepared for this provincial conference”.
This preparation would be guided by the party’s objectives to build unity and cohesion of the movement.
Mashatile’s address brimmed with optimism, but he acknowledged that there were ”immense challenges” ahead.
”We are realising the vision of the Freedom Charter. We are making an even better Gauteng.
”We know that there are immense challenges ahead; we know that many of our people have yet to feel the benefits of economic growth and social delivery,” he said.
He called on branches to tackle the concerns raised by communities during service delivery protests that have erupted around the province recently.
”We call on all our communities to work with the ANC to address these problems. However, we must condemn and distance ourselves from the use of violence in protests.”
Mashatile, who is also a member of the South African Communist Party (SACP), thanked the leaders of the alliance — the SACP, and the Congress of South African Trade Unions — for their contribution to the conference.
Mashatile’s address was his first as provincial chairperson. His previous deployments in provincial government include: transport and public works, safety and security, housing and his current position as finance and economic affairs.
He paid tribute to his predecessors, including current ANC secretary general Kgalema Mothlante, Sexwale, Mathole Motshekga and current premier Mbhazima Shilowa.
Mashatile’s audience broke into song when he concluded his address singing ”Mashatile, my chairperson” in chorus while he was congratulated and embraced by Shilowa.
Delegates scrambled to the stage to be photographed with him once proceedings had been officially closed.
On Sunday, provincial housing minister Nomvula Mokonyane was elected deputy chairperson, David Makhura was re-elected, unopposed, as provincial secretary, Mandla Nkomfe as deputy secretary and Lindiwe Maseko as treasurer. – Sapa