The ANC in the Eastern Cape has called on those in leadership positions to decisively tap into their consciousness in order to redeem the credibility and integrity of the movement.
This appeal came after the ANC's Eastern Cape Provincial Commitee meeting on Tuesday to frankly reflect on and make an assessment of political state of the ANC following the recent local government elections and other developments.
The ruling party lost control of three key metros, City of Johannesburg, Tswane and Nelson Mandela Bay to the leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance.
Provincial secretary, Oscar Mabuyane, said while the PEC reaffirmed the principle that everyone in the ANC should take collective responsibility for the weaknesses and shortcomings of the decline of electoral support.
However, Mabuyane said the Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Committee also acknowledged that individual actions of leaders of the ANC also taint the good image of the ANC.
"The PEC also acknowledged that individual actions of leaders of the ANC [real or perceived] also taint the good image of the ANC as a credible and trustworthy movement to transform the lives of South Africans for the better. It is therefore against this particular backdrop that the PEC appeal to those in leadership positions to decisively tap into their consciousness in order to redeem the credibility and integrity crisis of the movement" he said.
Mabuyane said the PEC believes that the ANC and the broader Mass Democratic Movement must urgently engage in a robust introspection of the political moment and courageously embark on bold strategies to accelerate Organisational Renewal.
"In this regard, the PEC resolved to lobby for the convening of a National Consultative Conference composed of the cadres of the movement in the veterans, alliance and different sectors of society in the communities" he added.
He said the PEC have devised that the Consultative Conference must be seen as a moment of self-reflection and self-correction towards galvanising the ANC into a stronger liberation force of the people.
"In the main, the PEC considers that the Consultative Conference must be centred on content of examining of ANC performance in realising the strategic objectives of the National Democratic Revolution, the extent of decolonisation, revisiting of the CODESA sunset clauses and finding solutions toward resolving contemporary challenges facing the movement" he said.
Mabuyane said the PEC also reflected and welcomed the strategic perspective that matters of leadership succession must be handled with maturity and discipline.
"In this regard, the PEC fully endorsed the notion of outlawing factionalism and slates" He said.
He added that any leader of the ANC, who has been reported to be part of secret meetings, will be exposed and dealt with.
Mabuyane said the PEC further reaffirmed that the Unity of the ANC in the Province is sacrosanct.
