By: Sello Theletsane
ANC Ward 73 in Ekurhuleni has joined dozens of ANC branches and structures countrywide that have nominated Tourism Minister and ANC national executive committee (NEC) member Lindiwe Sisulu to stand for the position of ANC president at the party’s elective conference in December.
The endorsement of Sisulu by Ward ANC Ward 73, Ekurhuleni follows hot on the heels of that of Fort Hare University branch of the ANC in Ward 11, Raymond Mhlaba Subregion in Amathole Region Eastern Cape, which last week also endorsed Sisulu to stand for the position of ANC president in the party’s forthcoming national conference.
On Saturday Sisulu was invited and warmly welcomed by the leadership of Diza Putini Zone, Ekurhuleni Region Ward 73. Sisulu was accompanied by the senior ANC NEC member and former Cabinet member Suzan Shabangu.
Sisulu was invited to deliver a memorial lecture on the contribution made by women in the struggle for liberation. Amongst those who were present were some ANC regional executive committee members (REC) and Umkhonto WeSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) regional and provincial leaders.
Addressing hundreds of party members who gathered at Kingsway Secondary School in Benoni ANC Ward 73 councillor Sipho Ngobese said: “We have taken a conscious and a principled decision as a branch to nominate Comrade Lindiwe Sisulu to stand for the position of ANC president at our national conference in December.”
“Mama Sisulu has got all the credentials of being a President of the ANC and the country. She is currently one of the longest-serving members of the national executive committee and the national working committee (NWC). We feel that we are now ready to be led by a female President.
Ngobese said his branch was of the view that with many challenges facing the ANC, “Mama Sisulu is our solution as she is has a down-to-earth personality”.
Added Ngobese: “People can easily identify with her and we believe she is the right leader who can fight for the poorest of the poor. She is a decorated member of our movement who we think will be brave enough to implement our 2017 Nasrec conference resolutions.”
