ANC ready for KZN elective conference
Updated | By ANA
The focus for the African National Congress’ eighth provincial elective conference is on “progressive and peaceful engagement” according to the party’s provincial secretary in KwaZulu-Natal, Sihle Zikalala.

Zikalala was speaking at a press conference at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.
The ANC provincial secretary said he was “proud to announce” that it was “all systems go” for the provincial conference, which starts at 9am on Friday and is scheduled to end on Sunday.
He said resolutions taken at the conference will benefit the people of KwaZulu-Natal and strengthen the ANC.
“The ANC must be the only winner [at the conference],” Zikalala said.
He said that 753 branches out of 828 wards qualified to attend the elective conference.
Zikalala warned against disruptions saying those who will be in attendance were expected to be “peaceful and respectful” in their behaviour.
“The ANC will not stomach grandstanding [that is intended to] undermine this conference,” he said.
While alluding to the possibility of disruptions, Zikalala said he wanted to make it clear that, “We need no ‘friends’, we are a conference of the ANC. We can conduct our business [without anyone from] outside the conference.”
He said “no one should be outside” the venue singing and dancing. Zikalala sentiments were aimed at people who claim they are at the conference as “friends” of the ANC only to end up being disruptive.
Zikalala would not deny or confirm reports that security checks at the venue would include biometric identification.
“I cannot confirm or deny that,” he said, adding that the party was encouraging “maximum discipline in issues of security,” said Zikalala.
“As opposed to parking soldiers [at the venue], we are appealing for political consciousness to delegates who are attending.”
He said that police would be at the conference because it was a public gathering and that the ANC would also have its own security on the premises.
Provincial Executive Member (PEC) Hlengiwe Mavimbela fielded questions about the election of the ANC chairperson.
Speculation has been rife that Zikalala is positioning himself for the chairmanship, something he repeatedly denies.
“This is not a government election,” said Mavimbela, adding that the processes (government and party) must not be mixed.
Both Mavimbela and Zikalala said it was important to emphasise that the conference is about the ANC, not personalities.
However, the provincial African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has publicly stated that it wants Zikalala in the top position.
Zikalala has not commented on the support shown by the ANCYL.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, the ANCYL said: “Regional General Councils that were convened over the past weekends have proven beyond reasonable doubt that the collective to be led by Comrade Sihle Zikalala will be overwhelmingly elected by the delegates to the conference.”
The league further stated that more than “400 branches across the province nominated the collective of Comrade Sihle Zikalala in their [Branch General Meetings].”
Zikalala said ANC national chairperson, Baleka Mbete, would be present at the conference and that President Jacob Zuma would present a keynote address to delegates on Friday at 4pm.
Nominations would be heard on Friday and the first results are expected to be in by Saturday.
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