A mixed bag of the old, the new and the aggrieved have made it onto the list of the ANC’s new Nelson Mandela Bay task team leadership.
The regional task team, to take over from the dissolved regional executive committee, will be led by former regional chair and ex-Bay mayor Nceba Faku as convener, even though he quit as regional head in 2013 to pursue his business interests.
Some old faces, who were part of the regional executive committee disbanded by former president Jacob Zuma in 2015, will also be making a comeback at Florence Matomela House.
Among them is former councillor and regional executive member Babalwa Lobishe, who makes a comeback as task team co-ordinator, and former treasurer Wandisile Jikeka ( finance secretary).
Tony Duba, a Bhisho MPL, appears on the list as an additional task team member. He went toe-to-toe against Andile Lungisa for the regional chairmanship in 2017 but lost.
The ANC’s Eastern Cape bosses, in considering the people to lead the party in the Bay, aimed for a unit that would build and unify the party in the metro as it gears up for the 2019 general elections.
Provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi said it had received a report on the outcome of the Bay regional executive committe’s appeal against its disbandment, tabled before the national dispute resolution committee on Thursday.
The report confirmed the provincial executive committee’s decision to dissolve the structure.
It also confirmed that Lungisa must resign as a mayoral committee member and remain an ordinary councillor while he appeals against his assault conviction and sentence in the Grahamstown High Court.
In a statement, Ngcukayitobi said the task team would be announced soon, but a letter signed by him and sent to all ANC Bay regional staff – along with an attached list of the new task team members – was leaked to the public.
In his statement, Ngcukayitobi said: “The Regional Task Team . . . must include the disbanded REC and members of the ANC who may have held a different view at the conference [in 2017].
“We are of the view that unity is built on basic principles of what the movement stands for and how it should operate in carrying out its mission.
“Unity cannot and should not be equated to lack of differences in a collective or structures of the organisation.
“Contradictions and differences will always be there in any vibrant organisation.”
Ngcukayitobi said the aim was to have those in leadership unite and guide the ANC to lead the process of change.
“They should lead the movement in its mission to organise and inspire the masses to be their own liberators.
“The PEC has come to the conclusion that the task of building and consolidating the unity of the movement in all our regions is an ongoing task that should remain a critical focus of all ANC cadres.
“We therefore call on all ANC members in both regions to promote unity and cohesion in structures and work together for the 2019 national elections,” Ngcukayitobi said.
Faku said the task team would focus on resuscitating the ANC in Nelson Mandela Bay and rebuilding confidence.
“There are a number of tasks and they have to do with generally resuscitating the ANC, strengthening relations and ensuring the organisation is revived, and helping Nelson Mandela Bay have an effective structure of their own.”
He said it would also focus on mending relations with the leagues and alliance partners.
Faku likened the deployment to a church organisation or football club calling on its veterans to intervene in a crisis.
He said the task team would consider the views of all the party’s role-players.
“It can’t be a one-man show, we are still going to consult with branches, structures and also the alliance.”
He said ensuring that Lungisa steps down was not part of its mandate. “This is not a structure that has been created for vengeance.”
Ward 9 branch secretary Sinazo Maxamba said it would endorse the new task team.
“The feeling on the ground is that we welcome the PEC’s decision and we will abide by the decision of the NEC.
“We endorse this decision as it is all about renewal and rebuilding going towards 2019.”
Ward 5 branch secretary Unathi Mnotoza also said it would endorse the task team.
“We support the decision to disband the REC. All the people who have been included in the RTT are capable of being leaders and we feel they should be given a chance, like any other leaders assigned any task.”
Also on the task team are: Vuyokazi Dapo, Gamalihleli Maqula (ANC councillor), Nondumiso Maphazi (former Bay mayor), Mazwi Mini (former Bay councillor), Bicks Ndoni (chief whip of council), Buyelwa Mafaya (council speaker), Veliswa Ndidi (former Bay councillor), Nomvuselelo Tontsi (former Bay councillor), JP Pretorius, Mark Beale, Betty Ncanywa, Mabuti Dano, Gege Mbikane, Mthiwabo Ndube, Ncediso Captain (ANC councillor), Nodoli Jodwana, Feziwe Sibeko (ex-Bay councillor), Itumeleng Ranyele (ANC councillor), Vuyo Toto, Phumeza Mpushe (ANC MPL), Yoliswa Pali (ANC councillor), Thobile Mhlahlo, Tony Duba (ANC MPL), Nomsa Booi (Bay councillor), Tamara Xhanti (ANC MPL), Eugene Johnson and Lawrence Troon (former ANC councillor).