Regional elections in first quarter

Victor Mulangisi

The African National Congress’ regional mind-boggling elections have been set for the first quarter of 2021. These elections will determine the five office bearers of the region. However, there are ensuing complexities, not so light to deal with, in as far as internal fighting is concerned. As a result, the electorate is so fragmented and this seeks divine intervention to settle the murky waters that could be detrimental to the campaigning processes.

 We pointedly have to tell it as it is. Truth’s ornament is nakedness. The decisive branches ought to face this important election with a clear conscience and discretion. Without delving deep onto the challenges facing the current leadership more important is that the electorate must go to this fundamental phase of democracy with a cool mind free from emotions to come up with solid leadership because a hocus-pocus choice will make the opposition smile to glory.

 The electorate must first reflect on the past and the present performances of the movement to determine its future direction and its hitherto recovery. Mere name tags picked on a populist stance won’t take this party back to its founding principles. The overall governing ideology in this party says that “people shall govern”. So, let this process lead to the rebirth of the scarce yet significant commodities in the region, which is unity and tolerance.

This region has everything that can turn it into a metro but it needs leadership that has selfless character and that walks along with all classes of society, the downtrodden, the mediocre and the elite. A bad choice in any form of leadership is felt by the followers not the office bearers. So, the John Taolo Gaetsewe branches have to take a very cautious decision to ensure the district is encapsulated in the pro-development trajectory.  

Whether or not there will be re-election of the current office bearers, that should be determined by the level-headed branches. What is encouraged; there ought to be a high level of transparency in the exercise to narrow chances of the electoral disputes that characterize elections. There is no other opportune time to mention aspirants in the wide-open race than now. Any delay to do this is tantamount to denying the electorate their right to digest and choose their preferred candidates.

The current leadership is composed of Mr. Neo George Masegela (regional chairperson), deputized by Mr. Edwin Hantise, Mr Peace Leserwane (regional secretary) deputized by Mr. Sizwe Mlangeni and Ms. Violet Jordaan as treasurer. The little bird tells that the chairmanship position has new aspirants while the current one is solidly eyeing reelection and with a potential to retain it seen as a philanthropist, yet there could be surprises.

 Who are the aspirants coming from the peripherals? In the corridors of the rumour mill-turned-fact Mr. Tumelo Mpolokeng the current chief executive officer of the John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust is tipped to be among the hot contenders seen as a shrewd calculator of political waves, while the smart audit municipal manager, Mr Disang Molaole of the district municipality could be seen as a dark horse yet could charm the fish out of water.

The regional secretary is potentially seeking his third term, a slippery political strategist. However, there are some who think they deserve the opportunity to turn the fortunes of the movement. In the race with him is Mr. Ephraim Aiseng who is tussling to emerge from the same subregion of Joe Morolong with Mr Neo Siamisang, a subject advisor with the department of education and is seen as a candidate of character. As the old saying goes, a faint heart never wins a fair lady and, like any other, each needs strong support from the branches to be endorsed.