ANC comeback plan

IN its battle for what it admits is dwindling support in Nelson Mandela Bay, the ANC has recommended a radical turnaround strategy, including withdrawing advertising from newspapers critical of the party and embarking on an aggressive member recruitment drive.

This is in preparation for next year's local government elections and beyond, according to two confidential documents titled "Proposed Regional Turnaround Strategy" and "Nelson Mandela Regional Turnaround Strategy Workshop Report".

ANC Eastern Cape provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane said the party had called on the Bay's regional executive committee (REC) to draft proposals and recommendations on how the party could improve its fortunes in the area, but these would still be subject to internal party processes and were not official policy.

The Herald - which is named as one of the publications from which advertising should be withheld - has seen the documents in question.

The party also details how it plans to recapture the Bay's northern areas and western suburbs, which are both DA strongholds.

 - Xolisa Phillip