Limpopo ANC accepts Zuma’s olive branch

The ANC in Limpopo has decided to accept President Jacob Zuma’s olive branch, and has now thrown in its lot with the newly elected leadership of the ANC, the province said in a statement.

The provincial leadership made the decision to support the ANC’s top six leaders and the new National Executive Committee elected in Mangaung at its first Provincial Working Committee meeting held in Polokwane yesterday.

Ahead of the ANC’s elective conference in Mangaung last month the provincial leadership and its youth wing were opposed to Zuma’s leadership and wanted him replaced by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

However, following his Mangaung victory, Zuma called on all party members to accept the outcome of the election and coexist peacefully alongside each other.

The province’s spokesperson, Makondelele Mathivha, said the branches’ decision to support certain leaders and adopt certain policy positions should not cause confusion.

“This is a long-held tradition of the ANC aimed at accommodating the organisation’s internal democratic processes in determining policy direction to be pursued by the movement, toward attainment of the country’s development objectives.”

He said the outcome of Mangaung and its resolutions should be supported by all in the movement.

“To this end, the ANC, under Jacob Zuma, has the unqualified support of Limpopo as led by the chairperson, comrade Cassel Mathale.

“The province reiterates its message of congratulations to the NEC elected in December 2012 and wishes all leaders serving in that structure well in the work of the organisation’s programmes ahead.”

Mathivha said: “The ANC in the province reaffirms its unity stance and calls on all branches and regions to join forces in maintaining unity and cohesion in the organisation.

“In light of the organisation’s century-old tradition of uniting all South African communities, Limpopo urges all its structures to rally behind the organisation’s forthcoming elections programme in preparation for the 2014 government elections”.