By OBAKENG MAJE
It is only three weeks left before South Africans go to the polls to vote for the political party of their choice. Even though the African National Congress (ANC) is marred with challenges such as political infightings and factionalism, it’s deployee in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Sello Lehari said, he is confident that ANC will perform well in the next coming Local Government Elections on 1 November 2021.
On Sunday, buoyant Lehari visited Taung to launch the ruling party’s election manifesto and introduced ANC councillor candidates.
“As the ANC, we have embarked upon a path of renewal, rebuilding and revitalisation of our party and society. This includes the turnaround of local government. We have resolved to face our problems, together, honestly, openly, and boldly.
“We will be more courageous, more innovative, and more ambitious in our actions and programmes to renew and rebuild our country. Together, in partnership, we shall re-dedicate our energy to forge social cohesion, build strong institutions of participatory democracy, revitalise our economy and build a strong, united, non-sexist, non-racial, and prosperous South Africa,” he said.
Lehari further said in the democratic era, the ANC has been unwavering in its commitment to improve the lives of the people of the country, especially the poor. He said no one joins the ANC to be poor forever.
“We must urgently finalise the social compact between the social partners to achieve our country’s fundamental social transformation to reduce and eradicate the plague of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
“We remain committed to making local government and society a better place to work, play and live in and continue to create a better life for all in our beloved South Africa. We will ensure that programme of infrastructure development, basic services, housing and local economic development address the specific needs of women, people with disabilities, the elderly, and children,” said Lehari.
He said the ruling party will move with speed to implement the three pieces of Gender-Based Violence Legislation and International Labour Organisation’s Convention 190 on sexual harassment in the workplace.
Meanwhile, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) Provincial Secretary, Packett Seaketso shared the same sentiments. Seaketso urged tolerance between ANC members after some disgruntled members from ward 14 disrupted the event.
They accused some local leaders of manipulating the councillor candidates list processes and replaced their choice with an ‘unknown’ candidate.
“We need to put our difference aside and ensure that we campaign for the ANC. We admit that there are challenges regarding the councillor candidates list, but we want to assure you that will be rectified.
“We have confidence in the ANC and those who were unduly elected will be removed from the list and will be replaced by the correct candidates. We need to work together and ensure that ANC gets victory on 1 November 2021,” said Seaketso.
COSATU representative, Boitumelo Motimeng said: “We are here as COSATU to deliver the message of support. To all new councillor candidates, it is now the time to work hard. We also urge you to ensure that your attitude and behaviour represent the ANC.
“We cannot have councillors who go to social media platforms and write unholy things. As COSATU, we have noted with concern that there is also another challenge that our youths are not visible enough. We urge the ruling party to utilise the youths and address, poverty and inequality.”
SACP representative, Alfred Dikole said councillor candidates must ensure that they deal decisively with corruption, mismanagement, waste, and underperformance. Dikole further said new councillor candidates must ensure that the ANC-led municipalities are run by ethical leaders, managers, and workers.
Ward councillor candidates
Ward 1- Caroline Oliphant Ward 13- Kealeboga Seboko
Ward 2- Tumo Tabe Ward 14- Mothusiotsile Mojanaga
Ward 3- Tebogo Gaorengwe Ward 15- Pitso Seepamere
Ward 4- Kagisho Pudule Ward 16- Tefo Moraladi
Ward 5- Onkarabile Tong Ward 17- Bontsi Briggz Chubane
Ward 6- Boikanyo Pulatso Ward 18- Gladys Melanie
Ward 7- Mmoloki Mojaki Ward 19- Michael Makwati
Ward 8- Sisi Montewa Ward 20- Itumeleng Maribe
Ward 9- Monene Sekwenyane Ward 21- Tebogo Molale
Ward 10- Olebeng Ipeleng Ward 22- Ikgopotseng Lekoma
Ward 11- Tumisang Gaoraelwe Ward 23- Boitshwarelo Pusho
Ward 12- Lerato Babuseng Ward 24- Kamogelo Moeng
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