Zuma’s Bay rescue team mixed bunch

Nqakula among stalwarts called on to boost ANC, end factionalism.

‘ I am highly honoured that I have been asked . . . to do this work'

Seasoned politicians, labour and business people, church leaders and even sports activists have been roped in to serve on President Jacob Zuma’s 31-member team to fix the ANC in Nelson Mandela Bay.

The ANC has given this team, announced on Saturday, six months to recruit members from various sectors, build its branches and get it back on track before an unpredictable municipal election next year.

Led by veteran ANC MP and former defence minister Charles Nqakula, the regional task team includes former MECs Thobile Mhlahlo and Dennis Neer, former deputy mayor Bicks Ndoni, and former Eastern Cape health boss and Uitenhage businessman Dr Siva Pillay.

Bhisho legislature secretary Phumelele Ndamase is the team’s deputy convener while church leader and Safa boss Danny Jordaan’s wife, Roxane, appears at number five on the list.

Nqakula said yesterday he had been called in to join the team on Saturday morning and they still had to be briefed on what exactly was expected of them.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said the team would be inducted today and the members were already aware of their responsibilities.

The selection of the task team is clearly aimed at bringing in groups of people who previously felt alienated by the now disbanded regional executive committee and, by extension, the municipality.

- Mkhululi Ndamase