20 November 2009
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape, in consultation with the ANC national leadership confirms the redeployment of Her Worship, comrade Nondumiso Maphazi from the current deployment. We also want to further confirm that comrade Zanoxolo Wayile is the next identified Mayor-elect, with comrade Nancy Sihlwayi as deputy.
This combination will take the council forward from where it is, by advancing the laid down foundation and solid organisational infrastructure to a more advanced level. The other portfolios will be announced in due course after proper consultation with the executive mayor.
This decision – endorsed by all our structures – follows a thorough evaluation of the political situation in the Nelson Mandela region, that has resulted in tensions and confusion surrounding the Executive Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Metro.
Having observed the great improvement and significant strides by the ANC-led council in improving lives of the citizens of Metro since the dawn of democracy, the ANC is convinced that Nelson Mandela Metro is the strategic hub of commercial and industrial zone in the Eastern Cape.
Motivated by the rich political heritage and the struggle waged in this region as evidenced by the heightened brutality exerted by apartheid police, the ANC is proud to pay tribute to the fallen heroes and heroines such as the PEBCO THREE, Govern Mbeki, Raymond Mphakamisi Mhlaba and former trade union leaders: Mbuyiselo Ngwenda, Max Madlingozi, Ncumisa Kodlo and Noluthando Wabana.
The Nelson Mandela Metro is the home of our un-diminishing, indelible and inerasable history of our struggle. The resistance by workers, working class, and unemployed fighting against exploitation, poor wage and squalid conditions of services strengthen our resolve to work closer with the labour union, the federation of the workers of the country, COSATU and the vanguard movement the South African communist party together with the civic structures led by SANCO.
This broad alliance is the lifeline defence at the centre of our National Democratic Revolution whose aim is to deliver a national democratic society, non racial and non sexist.
The redeployment of the mayor closes a chapter of painful tension, confusion and collapse of expected relationship between its deployees and the organisation. For a better facilitated development, economic growth, service delivery and social security for the vulnerable sectors of our society, we call for unity.
The new PEC took office motivated by principles of unity and cohesion of the movement, providing adequate support and guidance to its deployees, hence we caution anyone who is intent to abuse both the ANC position, its constitution, power and influence to marginalised the members of the ANC.
We wish to thank the executive Mayor and her team, appreciating her understanding of the situation. Her contribution to mitigate in social upliftment during her tenure, delivering world class 2010 stadium has been noted by the movement. Selectively and singularly we appreciate her and the collective that she put together to ensure that service delivery is on track.
We urge people of the Metro, civil society movements, church leadership, business chamber, youth and other relevant structures to trust the ANC. This decision is not motivated by elements of purging and hatred rather by a collective sense of putting the ANC at the centre by ensuring desired stability. The new Mayor has been directed to ensure that all corners of this Metro are equally treated, paying attention to all wards, housing and public amenities for township youth and a strategy to rebuild business confidence.
The ANC at this point wish to point it out that this is not to be celebrated as it is not victory against the enemy rather a close internal matter of the ANC to manage its own affairs.
Issued by:
Oscar Mabuyana
ANC Eastern Cape Secretary
African National Congress
Enquiries:
Oscar Mabuyana 076 412 7356
Mlibo Qoboshiyana 082 559 9008
Brian Sokutu 071 671 6899