The African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) is holding a three-day meeting in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni in Gauteng.
The first two days of the party’s highest decision-making body between conferences has been reserved for the NEC meeting, while Sunday has been set aside for its Lekgotla which will end on Monday.
The meeting comes two weeks after the party held its 8 January statement celebrations in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
The meeting also come as the party is facing some of its biggest challenges including the thorny subject of former president Jacob Zuma, contradictory statements by its top leadership, economy, and election preparations among others.
“This gathering will explore various domestic and global topics of significance.
Anticipated discussions during the next four days will include among the outcome of the International Court of Justice, current domestic political landscape, report of the integrity commission of the ANC.
The consideration of the Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill, and our reaction to it as the ANC, and hopefully we can walk with the people of South Africa where we stand on a matter such attempt to exclude the Western Cape from South Africa,” said ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri.
She said the Lekgotla will be attended by several key stakeholders and will also discuss matters that are pertinent to the country.
“The ANC Lekgotla will address service delivery, the role of logistics infrastructure in growth and development, local government and basic services, national youth service intervention, 2024 manifesto framework as well as our overall programme of action for the year 2024,” added Bhengu-Motsiri.
Meanwhile, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, has sought to downplay the Zuma standoff, saying that there’s no fear on the side of the party and that the former president is not exceptional.
Zuma last year endorsed the newly found uMkhonto Wesizwe party (MK) and further rub salt in the wound by declaring that he will not campaign for the ANC during this year’s elections.
Mbalula said the matter will be deliberated during the meeting.
“From the posture that President Zuma has taken in the political sphere of SA and his attitude towards the ANC, that is a subject matter that we will reflect on today.
“We will pronounce on that in terms of the NEC what then do we do, in terms of what has happened since he has announced his position as we all know about it.
“The ANC will speak, and speak for itself,” explained Mbalula.
He dismissed reports that the Zuma was snubbed by the ANC NEC meeting.
President Zuma has not been attending meetings of the NEC and he’s not an ex-officio member as per the constitution.
He and previous presidents attend meeting as per the invitation of the NEC to honour them and their contribution.
“But since he was incarcerated, the NEC stopped inviting him to the NEC meetings and there hasn’t been any changes since then,” highlighted Mbalula.
