ANC provincial secretary Deshi Ngxanga addressing the media during a press conference.
Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo
THE ANC said all five regional conferences in the province were successfully convened and were incident-free.
ANC provincial secretary Deshi Ngxanga stated that high levels of discipline were exercised by all delegates who attended these conferences.
“All conferences proceeded peacefully, with no incidents of violence or intimidation reported.”
He denied that any conference was rushed or undemocratic.
“The ANC reaffirms its commitment to constitutional processes in convening regional conferences. Conferences were postponed multiple times to ensure thorough preparation.”
Ngxanga indicated that the term of the Frances Baard Regional Executive Committee (REC) expired in May 2024.
“This prompted the constitutionally guided appointment of a Regional Task Team (RTT) to oversee the conference,
He added that two conferences were held in the Frances Baard region in Barkly West from April 11-13.
“Wende Marekwa was elected as the Frances Baard regional chairperson.”
He pointed out that the newly elected Frances Baard regional chairperson, Wende Marekwa, held no criminal record.
"The police verified that he was acquitted in all legal matters, including a culpable homicide case.
“The conference followed all guidelines, and the leadership election was transparent, democratic and legitimate.”
Ngxanga said the first regional conference was hosted in Hotazel, in the John Taolo Gaetsewe region, from March 21 – 23, where regional chairperson Neo Masegela was elected.
“This was followed by an equally successful and robust conference to elect the new regional chairperson in the ZF Mgcawu region, David Kazi, from April 4-6.
“The Namakwa regional conference was held in Concordia from April 7-8, where Mervin Cloete emerged as the regional chairperson to lead the regional executive committee (REC).”
Ngxanga stated that the Pixley ka Seme regional conference took place during the same weekend in De Aar, where regional chairperson Khathazile Tolong was elected.
He believed the new REC’s would lead the ANC during the 2026 local government elections and beyond.
“We congratulate all the newly elected REC’s. The tried and tested comrades are tasked with advancing the renewal and rebuilding agenda of the ANC.”
Ngxanga indicated that all disputes submitted were addressed by the Provincial Dispute Resolution Committee (PDRC), with outcomes communicated to both aggrieved members and regional structures.
“Anyone who is unhappy can refer their dispute to the National Dispute Resolution Committee.”
Meanwhile, ANC members criticised the media after members publicly voiced their dissatisfaction over the outcomes of the ANC regional conferences.
“Who said we were disgruntled?” they asked.
The members added that they were extremely happy with the elected leadership and indicated that there were only “eight disgruntled members” who wished to have the outcomes of the regional conferences nullified.