Lekgotla will demystify "anectodes"

The ANC's national executive committee (NEC) lekgotla will try to "demystify" some of the stories about progress in the country, secretary general Gwede Mantashe said on Friday.

   

"We will try to demystify anecdotal things," he told reporters at the St George Hotel and Conference Centre, near Pretoria.

   

"Like with education, there is a lot of work that has been done.  It is not just about the [text]book saga." 

   

He said the lekgotla would focus on figures and statistics to assess progress made by government near the end of its term.

   

Members would also be divided into commissions on Saturday to focus on specific issues.

   

"We will see what can be done, and what can go into the [election] manifesto." 

   

He said the African National Congress's election committee would report to the lekgotla.

   

The lekgotla would not focus on problems, such as the removal of Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle, Mantashe said.

   

"This is a lekgotla, not a normal NEC meeting." 

   

On July 2, Democratic Alliance councillor Annette Combrink was voted in as Tlokwe's new mayor, for the second time since November, unseating Maphetle.

   

In November, ANC factions in the municipality passed a motion of no confidence in Maphetle. He was replaced by Combrink -- the first  DA mayor in the North West. However, Maphetle was returned as mayor  in February.

   

Earlier, NEC members mingled on the lawns outside the hall at the centre during a break.

   

Ministers and alliance partners hugged, joked and shared cigarettes, while others merely stood in the winter sun.

   

After the break, ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu summoned them inside, saying "the leadership is calling".

   

The ANC's top six, including President Jacob Zuma, were seated at a table on a stage at the back of the hall.

   

The lekgotla was scheduled to conclude on Sunday.

   

-Sapa