By The African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State reflected on its image and performance during the two days lekgotla held in Mangaung, Bloemfontein from 11 to 12 August.
The Free State Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) had to face the hard truths and be brutally honest with itself as it cultivates a way forward in regaining the trust and confidence of the people in the province. The all-important lekgotla was graced by the presence of members of the National Executive Committee, Comrades Febe Potgieter and Parks Tau.
According the Provincial Secretary General of the ANC, Comrade Polediso Motsoeneng, the Congress discussed a number of pressing issues including organisational renewal, the fight against Gender Based Violence and crime, the state of local government, the building of a developmental and ethical state.
Topping the agenda was the dented image of the ANC which was reflected during the May 2024 provincial and national elections. Though the ANC in the Free State managed to retain the province by a majority vote, the results showed a decline in voter support.
Motsoeneng said voters have lost confidence in the ANC and the liberation party is concerned about the sharp dip in numbers from the electorate. The ANC has been riddled with factions over the years and breakaway groups, leading to infighting and losing focus on pressing issues like service delivery.
However, Polediso Motsoeneng said the observation is that, even if the electorate is despondent with the state of the party, most of them remain loyal to the ANC and opt not to vote, which affects the ANC resulting into the loss of seats in Legislature.
Motsoeneng told the lekgotla that the party needs to embark on an aggressive programme of renewal and not just pay lip service.
The ANC has been affected even at national level; confidence in the party has declined drastically resulting into a Government of National Unity (GNU) because the ANC lost its majority stronghold in the country.
“While in our province the ANC enjoyed the majority vote, however it was not a decisive vote. This compelled the organization at the level of the legislature to be in discussion with opposition… The result of the past elections can be characterized as a significant setback towards the advancement of National Democratic Revolution.
The allegiance of people is gradually moving away from the ANC due to various internal and external factors. The renewal of the ANC must also be understood within the context of geo-political dynamics and regularly reflect on international balance of forces,” said the Provincial Secretary Motsoeneng.
“The Lekgotla resolved to take an aggressive stance against the GBV and Femicide working together with government and social partners. The PEC will be directing all branches to develop and adopt GBV programmes that will be closely monitored,” he concluded.
