Gauteng Provincial Task Team (PTT) co-convenor Panyaza Lesufi has called on ANC members to focus on the unity of the ANC rather than leadership squabbles ahead of the provincial elective conference in May.

Speaking at the party’s 114th anniversary celebration in Soweto, Lesufi also firmly addressed those challenging regional leadership outcomes and discouraged premature discussions about the 2027 elective conference.

This comes as the province took its 114th anniversary celebrations to the community of Braamfischerville, Soweto, where Lesufi, alongside Greater Johannesburg chairperson, Loyiso Masuku, and ANC’s second deputy secretary general, Maropene Ramokgopa, led the celebration on Sunday.

Lesufi’s remarks come in the wake of challenges to some recent regional leadership outcomes, prompting a need to reinforce the legitimacy of the Greater Johannesburg regional conference. 

“Comrades, let us be very clear so that there is no confusion when we leave this hall. This regional conference of Greater Johannesburg is a legitimate gathering of the African National Congress. Its outcomes are final, and as we speak, this conference and its leadership are not contested in any court of law,” Lesufi stated.

Lesufi also had strong words against those who refuse to recognise Masuku’s leadership, saying the outcomes of the recent conference should be respected despite the party’s ongoing probe over alleged irregularities.

“We must send a firm warning. Those who refuse to respect the democratic will of the branches, those who refuse to respect the leadership elected here today—they will be attended to. We cannot have a situation of permanent instability. Now, we know there were some clumsy issues. There were unnecessary issues regarding ballot papers and ballot boxes. We are not hiding from that. But the national leadership is currently dealing with those administrative lapses,” he added.

When it comes to the succession debate, Lesufi said the time for this debate has not come, adding that President Cyril Ramaphosa must be allowed to finish his term.

“Let’s talk about the national collective. The NGC (National General Council) was very clear, and we in Johannesburg are even clearer: There is only one President of the ANC, and that is Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa.

“We see people already running around, whispering about the 2027 elective conference. Let us tell them now: 2027 is not on the agenda! We are not interested in factions or succession battles right now. If you are already campaigning for 2027, we are telling you to sit down because we have work to do,” Lesufi added.

Lesufi’s words and sentiments were further amplified by Masuku, who called for unity and a back-to-basics approach to service delivery challenges faced by the residents of Johannesburg.

“If you are a deployee of the ANC, whether as a councillor, chief whip or executive mayor, we want to see you on the ground. We demand it because people are looking to the ANC. Our focus should be on the ‘renewal’ of the ANC to ensure success in the upcoming local government elections. Disunity is a weakness and an obstacle to delivering services. We must adhere to the “Masiye Ebantwini” mandate. The speaker repeatedly uses the slogan “Masiye ebantwini” (Let’s go to the people),” she added.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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