African National Congress (ANC) Eastern Cape Conference Convenor, Oscar Mabuyane, has reassured delegates that security has been tightened – as the registration process for the party’s ninth elective conference commences on Friday.
Over 1 500 voting delegates are expected to take part in the conference this weekend.
Mabuyane, Babalo Madikizela and Mlibo Qoboshiyane are vying for the position of chairperson.
Speaking during a media briefing in East London on Friday, Mabuyane says, “The issue of the safety of delegates is guaranteed. You can see [in and around] the precinct, how we have tightened up security. People will be free as delegates to express their views and to make sure that they help the ANC to move forward and grow. The issues of credentials, there is a credentials committee which is led by the provincial secretary [Lulama Ngcukayitobi]. So that issue will be attended to at an appropriate time,” explains Mabuyane.
The video below is reporting more on the elective conference:
‘Save from further deterioration’
Earlier, while addressing hundreds of his delegates who have arrived in East London, Madikizela vowed to save the province from further deterioration.
He told the delegates backing him for the position of the provincial chair that the Eastern Cape has deteriorated under the current chair and Premier Mabuyane.
He said the time has come for them to decide on whether to change the status quo or continue on a downward spiral.
VIDEO: ANC Eastern Cape Conference gets under way on Friday
Development projects
Delegates say they expect the party’s provincial leadership, which will emerge from the conference, to prioritise development projects that benefit the province’s people.
Here are the views of some delegates.
“I’m very glad because it has been delayed forever and the delays have created divisions among us… it’s finally here and we’re glad it’s happening,” says one delegate. Another adds, “Anyone that is going to emerge out of this conference we expect that a special focus will be directed to areas that have been neglected.”
