Norman Mashabane region Top 5 officials Blantina Rakganya, Gerson Molapisane, Pule Shayi, Goodman Mtileni and Dagma Mamanyoha.
The African National Congress (ANC) is delaying regional conferences across the country due to a system upgrade of its membership management system.
The postponement, announced in a memo from Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, affects all planned Branch Biennial General Meetings (BBGMs) and Branch General Meetings (BGMs), pushing them back to at least the third week of February 2025.
The upgrade, the final phase of a two-part project, aims to improve user experience and address reported issues with the existing system. A two-week “cool-off” period is in effect, allowing the party to address queries and ensure the system’s stability before full access is granted. During this period, the Membership Operation Centre will provide troubleshooting support.
This delay has significant implications for the upcoming local and provincial elections, especially in regions where leadership contests are fiercely contested. In the Norman Mashabane region, for example, the delay throws a wrench into the battle between two prominent slates vying for control.
The “Third Term” slate, led by Regional Chairperson Pule Shayi, and the “Straight line” slate, headed by Secretary Goodman Mtileni, are locked in a tight race. While some branches successfully held their general meetings over the weekend, with both slates claiming the upper hand, others experienced postponements due to glitches in the updated membership system, illustrating the direct impact of the technical delays.
Ward 10 in Mark Shope sub region, a critical area in the region, postponed its meeting citing membership management problems. This highlights the potential for the system issues to significantly affect voting and delegate selection processes across all regions.
The postponement has created uncertainty and a “wait-and-see” atmosphere. The delay means it could be a month or more before the region’s leadership for the upcoming elections is finalized. The outcome will be critical in determining the party’s strategy and candidate selection for these crucial polls.
The ANC’s call for cooperation in this transition period emphasizes the significance of the membership system upgrade and its potential ripple effects on internal party processes and the broader political landscape.
The party is urging structures to submit revised roadmaps to their relevant leadership and ensure that the implications of the delay are effectively communicated to all members.