By Rorisang Rampheteng:
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State says it is strengthening its election machinery and focusing on service delivery as it prepares for the upcoming local government elections.
Speaking during an interview at the party’s provincial headquarters, Kaizer Sebothelo House in Bloemfontein, ANC Free State provincial secretary Polediso Motsoeneng said the party is confident it can regain full control of municipalities across the province.
Motsoeneng said the party has already established a comprehensive election structure that stretches from the provincial leadership down to the grassroots level. “The ANC has put in place one of its effective subcommittees led by Comrade Saki Mokoena as a provincial election structure, which is replicated to the lowest levels of the organisation,” Motsoeneng said.
Election Structures in Place
According to Motsoeneng, the election machinery has been rolled out across the province to ensure that every level of the organisation is prepared for the campaign.
He said that the structures include regional election teams, branch election structures and even voting district structures aimed at strengthening the party’s operations on the ground. “In the last two months, we have been assessing our state of readiness in terms of the quality of the machinery that we have,” Motsoeneng said.
He added that the assessment process is still underway and will ultimately produce a consolidated report on the effectiveness of the party’s election structures. “Immediately after the completion of that process, we will have a consolidated report in terms of the effectiveness and efficiency of that structure constituted by ANC members at the grassroots level,” Motsoeneng said.
Aiming to Avoid Coalition Governments
The ANC has made it clear that its main objective in the upcoming elections is to regain outright control of municipalities in the province. The party currently governs several municipalities in coalition arrangements following electoral losses in recent elections.
However, Motsoeneng said the ANC intends to increase voter participation and support to avoid coalition outcomes. “We are ready as the ANC to embark on a tedious journey which will ultimately make it possible for the ANC to retain and win back all the municipalities where we had difficulties in terms of electoral control,” Motsoeneng said.
He said the party is targeting all 23 municipalities in the Free State. “We are not anticipating any outcome that will result in coalitions in the province,” Motsoeneng said.
Focus on Service Delivery
Motsoeneng acknowledged that service delivery concerns remain one of the biggest challenges facing communities across the province. He said the ANC is developing plans to directly address these issues as part of its campaign strategy. “We are putting in place a plan that will respond mainly to service delivery-related issues that are an eyesore to our people,” Motsoeneng said.
He explained that improving service delivery will play a critical role in restoring public confidence in the party. “That will determine the kind of success we record so that we can increase our electoral support,” Motsoeneng said.
Motsoeneng also admitted that voters are increasingly demanding performance from political parties rather than relying on historical loyalties. “People are no longer supporting the ANC on the basis of sentimental reasons,” Motsoeneng said.
National Campaign Message Still Being Finalised
While the ANC in the Free State has begun preparing organisational structures, the party’s national campaign message has not yet been finalised. Motsoeneng said the responsibility for crafting and approving the official campaign message rests with the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC).“That still has to be coined and ultimately polished by the National Executive Committee,” Motsoeneng said.
He said that the party aims to ensure a unified message across the country.“The ANC is a unitary formation, so there won’t be any province that will have its own different message as opposed to what the national will be directing,” Motsoeneng said.
Preparing for a Competitive Election
Motsoeneng said the party understands that the upcoming local elections will be highly competitive and that the ANC must work harder to win back public trust.
He emphasised that the party’s structures on the ground will play a crucial role in mobilising voters and addressing community concerns. “With the structures we have established and the work that is currently underway, we believe the ANC will be in a strong position to contest and win municipalities in the Free State,” Motsoeneng said. The ANC is expected to intensify its preparations once the national campaign message and election strategy are finalised by the party’s leadership. – @NewsSA_Online
Follow us on our social media platforms below: