Johnathan Paoli
In her political report to the conference, ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) Convener, Baleka Mbete, chastised delegates to the national conference about the “disease” of factionalism and the effect this holds over the party structures.
“The post-Polokwane intensely factional environment had had a very negative effect on all structures of the movement at all levels,” Mbete said.
Mbete went on to say that “the women were also affected as they are part of the movement and all its formations throughout. It is a fact that when history is captured it will show how exactly and how much we reflected this contamination as women.”
The three candidates who are running for nomination as president of the ANCWL are former Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini; Sisi Tolashe and former mayor of Umhlathuze, Thembeka Mchunu.
The nomination of Dlamini would bolster Zuma support within the Women’s League and the party in general, while the election of Mchunu would bolster the support of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Socially beneficial work does not need to be trapped in the dark corner and confines of party politics where it could stand to quickly be throttled by a disease we know, called factionalism and corruption,” Mbete said.
Mbete went on to emphasise the revolutionary duty delegates hold to defeat the “demon” of factionalism and help strengthen the ANC.
In his address at the second day of the ANCWL conference, Fikile Mbalula added that while there would naturally be differences, this should not lead to internal division and attacks, that members should work together amicably.
“This organisation is on the path of renewal,” he added.
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