Don't be arrogant, Zuma warns

2009-07-04 18:09

Westville - Kwazulu-Natal ANC party members should not relax after their overwhelming win of the province, President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday.

"It is important that you handle your victory with care because if you don't, it will slip away," Zuma told hundreds of delegates at the party's two-day provincial general council at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Westville Campus.

During the April 22 general elections, the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal received overwhelming votes for the first time since 1994.

Although the party governed the province since 2004, it did not win it decisively and it had to work with other parties such the Minority Front.

Before 2004, KZN had always been under the control of Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).

Zuma warned that if the ANC did not respect its victory, it could be the beginning of defeat.

"It is very important how to manage your victory. You don't ridicule those you have defeated and you deliver things that you promised during campaigns."

He said the ANC in one of the provinces, which he did not name, had failed to handle victory.

Zuma said the ANC in the national level had managed to handle its victories well since 1994.

"People respect it. If you respect your victory you win the minds of people who have not voted for you and you also make sure that you don't create an unnecessary formidable opposition."

Zuma also warned his party members not to make a mistake of thinking that the IFP was dead.

He also warned them not to fight for positions.

Delegates are to elect a new ANC provincial secretary and deputy secretary following the resignation of former secretary Senzo Mchunu who is now MEC for education. The current deputy secretary Sihle Zikalala will stand for the secretary position.

The conference finishes on Sunday.

- SAPA