04/10/2025
9th ANC Nkangala Region Conference Underway, Focuses on Unity and Service Delivery Challenges
eMalahleni – The long-anticipated 9th African National Congress (ANC) Nkangala Regional Conference is currently in session at the Witbank Dam, marking a significant moment for the party in the region.
In a show of political alignment, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the Nkangala Region has declared its support for the ANC and will not be contesting the conference. This comes amidst a recent electoral setback, with SANCO acknowledging the ANC's loss of Ward 26 in eMalahleni to the Democratic Alliance (DA) by a narrow margin of 30 votes in a recent by-election.
2This loss framed a central question posed to delegates: “If we lose one more Ward, what would be the reason? Service.” A key point of introspection was the distinction between administrative performance and tangible delivery, with the statement, “A clean audit doesn't represent Service delivery.”
The ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) congratulated the Nkangala region for its successful conference preparations. The gathering also served as a moment to mourn the passing of several prominent movement members, including:
· Former Deputy President David Dabede Mabuza
· Former South African Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa
· Former soccer legend, Veli Mahlangu
Addressing the conference on behalf of the ANC Mpumalanga PEC, Speed Mashilo delivered a frank and wide-ranging speech urging renewal and action.
Key directives from his address included:
· A Shift from Celebration to Work: Citing Minister Gwede Mantashe, Mashilo instructed officials to "stop singing and start working in the interest of the people of South Africa."
· Combating Corruption and "Mafias": He stated that municipalities are "struggling and suffering" from mafias that prevent progress, insisting they must be "sanctioned and removed from the community."
· Revitalizing Youth Structures: Mashilo expressed concern over the state of ANC-aligned youth organizations, questioning the whereabouts of the ANC Youth League and noting that SASCO has lost campuses. He urged members to investigate the root causes pushing young people toward higher education alternatives.
· Beacons of Hope: He called on all members to become "beacons of hope and champions of peace."
The PEC highlighted the recent two-day Mining Investment Conference in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality as a key opportunity to address provincial issues like job creation and service delivery.
Mashilo also emphasized the urgent need for bylaws to combat veld fires and stock theft, framing it as a critical cultural issue. He argued that cultural events such as initiations, weddings, and funerals rely on livestock for feasting. If livestock cannot access grazing due to fires or is stolen, these cultural practices are threatened. “Cultures will collapse if such crimes are left to happen without any action,” he stated.