Undeterred by the loss of senior members to the DA, the party’s new Provincial Task Team promises to rebuild from the grassroots and take the fight “to the doorstep” of its rival.
CAPE TOWN – The African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape has vowed a dramatic revival, insisting that the high-profile defection of former provincial secretary Neville Delport and others to the Democratic Alliance (DA) will not derail its plans to resurrect the party in the province.
The defections come during a period of significant internal restructuring, which saw the ANC’s national leadership dissolve the elected Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) due to poor electoral performance and declining support.
However, the party’s newly appointed Provincial Task Team (PTT) spokesperson, Sifiso Mtsweni, has dismissed the exits as insignificant, framing the “reconfiguration” as a necessary step to bring back proven leadership.
Bringing Back the ‘Best of the Best’
Mtsweni outlined the new strategy, which leans heavily on the experience of veteran figures like Ebrahim Rasool, Mcebisi Skwatsha, and Richard Dyantyi, who have been brought into the task team.
“Based on the assessment of the national executive committee in the province, the decision has now been taken to say that you guys have been quite weak over the last few years,” Mtsweni stated. “We’ve now taken a decision to say let’s bring back the best of the best leaders with integrity, leaders that will be able to project the voice of the African National Congress.”
The spokesperson acknowledged that the ANC’s voice has been “quiet” in recent years, a period that has seen the party lose every provincial and metro election since 2009. The new PTT’s mandate is to rebuild from the grassroots up and re-establish the party as a formidable opposition.
A Battle on the DA’s Doorstep
Despite the challenging political landscape, Mtsweni struck a defiant tone, promising an aggressive campaign to win back disillusioned voters.
“We are going to take the battle right to the doorstep of the Democratic Alliance,” he vowed.
The ANC’s strategy appears to be a blend of experienced hands and younger members, aiming to present a united and credible alternative to the DA’s long-standing governance. The party believes this renewed leadership mix is key to reconnecting with its traditional base and making inroads ahead of the next electoral contest.
Whether this internal shake-up can translate into a genuine political resurgence against a deeply entrenched DA, however, remains the central question for the ANC’s future in the Western Cape.
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