The provincial ANC leadership expressed hope that party members would continue to close ranks and concentrate on issues affecting communities in the province as opposed to the factional politics that threatened to undermine party and government operations in the recent past.

This sentiment was expressed after a two-day ANC lekgotla in Rustenburg where issues of governance in the province were central to the deliberations.

The party’s national and provincial executive members, heads of provincial departments and alliance structures attended the meeting.

Provincial party spokesperson Kenny Morolong said ANC leaders and those deployed in government had a chance to share ideas on how best to improve working relations for the better of society.

“We are confident that the ANC is more united, cohesive and ready to focus all its energies on the implementation of its programme of action to build a national democratic society.

“The lekgotla has enabled the leadership of the ANC and government to closely focus on the necessary work required to effect changes in the lives of our people. The delegates were immersed in discussions through commissions whose resolution were adopted by the lekgotla,” he said.

“The lekgotla reflected on the level of political maturity and challenges related to high levels of ill-discipline.

“The ANC vehemently condemned tendencies, which are alien to the movement and vowed to intensify its resolve to discipline all those who undermine the authority of the organisation.

Morolong said ANC veterans would be roped in when the party deployed people in government to minimise the scandals that had come as a result of insufficient consultations.

“A resolution was reached to identify ANC veteran commissars to assist with cadre development and the immediate implementation of the OR Tambo School of Political Education,” he said.

Party provincial chairperson Supra Mahumapelo recently said there was need to establish a political school where party members would be taken through lessons on the values of the ANC and what they ought to do for the party to remain relevant.

Efforts to eradicate conflict of interest among party leaders also came out strongly at the lekgotla.

Morolong said it was resolved that all ANC leaders in the province should declare their business interests to the ANC integrity committee to promote transparency and complement all efforts aimed at rooting out corruption.

Responding to the rape scourge gripping the country, Morolong said the ANC had said efforts should be intensified to stop violence against women.

“The ANC urged all its branches to intensify the 365 campaign of no violence against women and children.

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