By OBAKENG MAJE
The African National Congress (ANC) National Officials conducted interviews with ANC Premier Candidates on 10 until 12 June 2024. The ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula said in a statement that all interviews were observed by the Chairperson of the ANC Electoral Committee, Kgalema Motlanthe, or a member of the committee nominated by him.
“The Electoral Committee commended the National Officials for the integrity of the process and the leadership that they demonstrated throughout.
“The committee expressed appreciation for the rigorous, thorough and impartial approach by the National Officials at a time when they were required to provide leadership in many other pressing national developments,” he said.
Mbalula further said the National Officials posed a range of questions to the candidates covering ethical and capable leadership as set out in “Through the Eye of a Needle” and the six priorities in the ANC 2024 Election Manifesto that are critical to speeding up transformation.
“ANC Election Manifesto also intent to improve the lives of the people, which include our jobs plan, building our industries to include an inclusive economy, tackling the high cost of living, investing in people, defending democracy and advancing freedom.
“This includes building a better Africa and world. They also interviewed candidates on building a developmental state, building capable local government, protection of the human rights and dignity of women, children, young people, older persons, and LGBTQIA+ persons and promoting social cohesion,” said Mbalula.
He added that the National Officials were impressed by the candidates that they interviewed and commended provinces for the quality of their nominees.
Mbalula said the ANC renewal process seeks to restore trust and confidence as leader of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) and the fundamental socio-economic transformation of our society.
“At its last two national conferences, the ANC vowed to more effectively address society’s challenges, conduct its affairs in line with its core values and renew the movement so it can continue to serve and lead the people.
“We are now raising the intellectual capacity and enhancing the moral and ethical orientation of our membership,” he said.
Mbalula said the living embodiment of a renewed ANC will be members, who show exemplary conduct in society by upholding the core values and principles of selfless public service, discipline and integrity. We believe that this team exemplifies these qualities.
“Based on the above principles and the interviews conducted, the National Officials decided that the following comrades should be ANC Premier candidates for the following provinces.
“Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane for Eastern Cape, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae for Free State, Andrek Hendrick “Panyaza” Lesufi for Gauteng, Phophi Constance Ramathuba for Limpopo, Mandla Ndlovu for Mpumalanga, Kagiso Lazarus Mokgosi for North West and Zamani Saul for Northern Cape,” he said.
Mbalula said the ANC National Officials believe that the above comrades are equal to the challenges of the struggle for a better life for all that are difficult and diverse and require honest, capable and dedicated leaders.
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