The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) has called for the organization’s needs to be prioritized through what it termed a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration. This After the Durban High Court judgment nullified the KwaZulu-Natal provincial ANC Women’s League elective conference due to voter irregularities.
This was the 6th KwaZulu-Natal ANC Women’s League conference in August last year at the Durban International Convention Centre. The conference was marred by delays and chaos and later some delegates objected to disputing the outcome.
Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza was elected as provincial chairperson and Education MEC Mbali Frazer as her deputy.
Zama Sokhabase was elected secretary, Fikile Masiko, as her deputy secretary, and Matozi Dlamini elected treasurer.
Supporters of Bongi Sithole-Moloi who was contesting the position of chairperson filed a complaint with the National Executive Committee of the Women’s League, claiming that the conference had been rigged.
This led to the national body nullifying the results. The elected members approached the court.
Last week, the court ruled in favour of the ANCWL NEC.
“The recent nullification of the results of the ANC Women’s League in KwaZulu-Natal can lead to two things depending on where one stands on the issue; some would say it will have negative consequences on the ANC , more especially as it prepares for the 2024 general elections, but then those who are politically mature will see this on a positive light in the sense it is going to the party. In many ways, it is going to protect the integrity of those who have been elected and those who will be elected when the election is correctly convened once elected. Those office bears will then occupy their positions with pride,” says Prof Bheki Mngomezulu, political analyst.
Mngomezulu has also advised the provincial and national structures of the ANC Women’s League on the importance of working together, moving forward.
“It is also going to assist the party in terms of indicating that the decision that has been taken by the national office of the women’s league was in fact a correct one and then it will be vindicated in this case then it will mean that the leadership in the province will have to take this issue on a positive note and say we act and this is the time for us to correct the situation. The sooner they convene fresh election the better. Because if the statuesque remains like this then this is going to affect the party negatively. My advice would be it would be ideal for the leadership of the organization both at the provincial level and at a national level to refrain from using emotions when they look at this issue, in a sober manner for the sake of the organization.”
The ANC Women’s League has welcomed the court decision and has called for unity ahead of the general elections.
“The National Executive Committee of the African National Congress Women’s League notes and welcomes the judgement delivered by the high court of South Africa while the court has ruled in favour of the decision of the NEC to nullify the conference. We also would like to emphasise the need for unity and cohesion within the organization. We call upon all members and leaders of the ANC women’s league in KwaZulu-Natal to prioritize the interest of the organization and work towards fostering the spirit of inclusivity and collaboration. It is imperative that the ANC Women’s League in KZN focuses on core mandate in advocating for rights and wellbeing of women both within the organization and in society at large, more especially as we head towards the 7th general elections,” says Dina Pule, ANC Women’s League Deputy Secretary General.
She added that there are no plans yet for a re-run of the elective conference.
