19/01/2021
STATEMENT OF THE ANC IN CHRIS HANI REGION–EC,
ON ITS POLITICAL WORK OF UNITY, COHESION AND RENEWAL
The REC of the ANC in Chris Hani Region, Eastern Cape Province has hit the ground running with the commencement of its organisational work and political programme of the year 2021.
The Region convened the meetings of REC Officials which culminating into a special session of the Regional Executive Committee (REC) on Thursday, 14 January 2021. The Special REC Meeting received and deliberated on political remarks from the Regional Chairperson, Cde Wongama Gela. The meeting further focussed its deliberations on:
§ Approach for January 8th (109th) Celebrations for Chris Hani Region and Sub-Regions
§ Plans for Bathandwa Ndondo Memorial and Reburial Services
§ Progress Report on Covid-19 work in the Region
§ Preparations for the bi-elections at Ntsika Yethu Local Municipality
The Special REC meeting further resolved to convene an Extended REC Meeting of all REC members, Sub-Regional Chairpersons and Secretaries, PEC Members residing in the Region, Deployees to municipalities, Provincial Legislature, National Assembly, and other sectors of society. It is important to note that the Extended REC meeting was attended by the Provincial Chairperson, Cde Oscar Mabuyane, Provincial Secretary, Cde Lulama Ngcukaitobi, and the Convenor of PEC Deployees to the Region, Cde Nomakhosazana M**h.
The Extended REC Meeting was held on Monday, 18 January 2021 through a virtual platform. The Extended REC Meeting was convened with a specific purpose of having a focussed discussion on the Unity and Renewal of the ANC. This was inspired by the national theme of the 109 years of the ANC: “Unity, Renewal, and Reconstruction in the Year of Charlotte Maxeke”. The convening of this Extended REC meeting further sought to give practical expression and meaning to the call of unity, cohesion and renewal. The ANC in Chris Hani Region has challenged itself into being agents of unity and renewal in the Region, Province and Nationally.
The Regional Chairperson of the ANC, Cde Wongama Gela delivered political remarks with specific focus on the unity, cohesion and renewal of the ANC. His input sought to present in summary the work done by the REC in so far as building the unity and cohesion of the organization since the last Regional Conference. He premised the discussion by providing both definition and context of unity and cohesion in the organisation. The input went further to provide an account of the work done on the project of unity in Chris Hani Region (both progress and challenges).
The Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson, Cde Oscar Mabuyane delivered a keynote input on the centrality of unity, cohesion and renewal in the life of the organisation. The input pointed to the fact that the work of renewing the organisation is not just desirable but an utmost necessity to maintain the resilience of ANC that kept it alive and relevant for 109 years. The input further explored the theoretical and dialectical relationship between the organisation and individuals on one hand; and the work of building organisational unity and renewal on the other hand. Whilst the organisation must renew and adapt, it must also remain true to the core values and character of the ANC. The discussions emphasised the necessity of organisational discipline and revolutionary morality in the project of unity and renewal.
The meeting resolved that leading to the RGC, PGC and NGC, the REC of the ANC in Chris Hani Region will nudge all members and structures on the direction of unity of purpose. The meeting expressed a need for the REC to further outline the role of the Chris Hani Region in the politics and project of unity and cohesion in the Province of the Legends and the need for continued engagements necessary for the success of this project.
The meeting noted that the Region still has 78 branches in good standing out of a total of 110 branches (70,9%). The REC will provide all the necessary guidance and support to the remaining branches and sub-regions to be in good standing under the circumstances of the new normal. In order to entrench the project of unity and renewal across the length and breadth of the Region, the REC is going to convene another session with the top five officials of all sub-regions and branches for a dedicated session on unity, cohesion and renewal across all structures of the organisation.
In this light, the Extended REC Meeting further expressed its unwavering principled support behind the unity of the leadership collective of the ANC Eastern Cape led by the Provincial Chairperson, Cde Oscar Mabuyane; and the national leadership collective led by President Cyril Ramaphosa. We rally our support behind the democratically elected leadership collective so that they can focus their undivided attention on the implementation of the mandate from the respective Conferences.
The meeting encouraged the branches of the ANC in the Region to remain active in mobilising communities and implementing community based measures in the battle against Covid-19.
On the overall, the meeting was characterised by highly impressive levels of frank and robust engagements. The meeting concluded by reminding all that the basis for uniting and renewing our organisation is to advance the cause of the people. We are in a constant process of renewal not for our own sake as members and leaders of the organisation but for the interests of the people and the resolution of the fundamental contradictions that stand in front of thorough transformation of our society.
Issued by: Lusanda Sizani
ANC Regional Secretary
Chris Hani Region, EC
083 535 6510
