Picture: (ANC Provincial Executive Committee member in North West, Doctor Mmolawa)

By BAKANG MOKOTO
African National Congress (ANC) PEC member in Bokone Bophirima, Doctor Mmolawa said they will continue to work hard to ensure that the ruling party is well-prepared for the 2019 General Elections. Mmolawa said he is not concerned about the infights and divisions that have transpired in the province recently.

“We are aware of those counter-revolutionaries unfolded in the province recently. However, we need to unite and ensure that the ANC is the biggest winner at the end of the day. What happened is a wake-up call for the organization. Yes, the infights will affect us in the upcoming General Elections, but I maintain that the party will win this province.

“The ANC is the only party that can ensure that there is sustainability within economic growth and prosperity in changing the lives of the masses. ANC-led government is the policymaker and always provides other stakeholders with the opportunity to contribute to that dialogue by sharing their aspirations and concerns,” he said.

Mmolawa, who was born on Witrankiesfontein Farm, near Potchefstroom said, he was inspired by the former ANC and South African President, Thabo Mbeki and the former Minister of Safety and Security, the late Steve Tshwete. A 52 year-old politician said life was difficult during apartheid, but he never gave up.

“I started to develop interest in politics while I was working in a mine back in 1986. I joined the ANC and became part of the struggle. I was raised by a single parent who was working as a labour on that farm. However, they were forcefully removed from the farm and we relocated to Jouberton Township in Klersdorp.

“In 1996, I returned home after working in rigorous environment as a miner. I participated in all structures of the ANC and South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO). The main aim was to change the situation and fight apartheid regime. Our parents and fellow brothers were subjected to injustices by the apartheid government. We had to sacrifice ourselves for the betterment of the people,” Mmolawa said.

In 1996, Mmolawa was elected as the ANC branch chairperson in ward 6 in Jouberton. He served for two years in that position and he was elected as a deputy branch chairperson afterwards.

“I was working together with the likes of George Mtutuzene and the later Abuti Chika. In 2004, I was elected as a branch treasurer. I also served as SANCO additional member in their Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) in the province. Our youth can learn more from our previous leaders like the late Dr Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Moses Kotane, Ruth Mompati and others.

“The ANC is a national liberation movement that was formed to unite the African people and spearhead the struggle for fundamental political, social and economic change. However, some people use the party for self-enrichment which is uncalled for,” he said.

Mmolawa said the ANC has led the struggle against racism and oppression for decades. He added that the time is now to fast-track Radical Economic Transformation (RET).

“We believe that the economy and the wealthy of the country should equally benefit its people. The ANC achieved a decisive democratic breakthrough in the 1994 elections, where it was given a firm mandate to negotiate a new democratic Constitution for South Africa. Now, we have to ensure that economic freedom is also achieved.

“We will also continue to call for united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society. However, we continue to see glimpse signs of discrimination from some individuals and we call justice system to be harsh on those people. I will be grateful if I could see our Africans and black people in general being liberated from political and economic bondage, Mmolawa concluded.

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