ANC sees a rise in Western Cape members
2013-02-25 21:42
Cape Town - The number of ANC members in the Western Cape
has risen to 50 147 in the past few months, the party said on Monday.
ANC membership in the province was recorded at around 38 000
before the Mangaung conference in December, provincial secretary Songezo
Mjongile told journalists in Cape Town.
He said the increase was probably because of a
"last-minute rush" to recruit new members and renew old memberships.
Provincial chairperson Marius Fransman said it could have
been the result of concerted campaigns in the past year, such as the drive to
stop the closure of around 20 schools.
"There is increasing membership on the Cape Flats
linked to the Save our Schools campaign... These hard-line DA supporters are
not anymore sure they are strong party supporters," he said.
Following a three-day lekgotla at the weekend, the ANC
provincial executive committee (PEC) noted that 217 branches were in good
standing, but that 170 branches were not.
"The PEC instructed all regional executive
committees to focus on the renewal of branches. It also instructed branches to
set up voting district base structures to ensure we increase the reach of the
ANC," Mjongile said.
"We want to take the Western Cape street by street,
township by township, village by village and town by town."
The PEC resolved to launch its Volunteer Corps programme
in April, which had set a target of hiring 5 000 volunteers for community
development.
At present, 500 "dedicated" volunteers had
signed up to assist with early childhood development, community food gardens,
anti-crime and drug abuse initiatives, sports development and other initiatives.
These volunteers would also help with the elections next
year.
Fransman said the ANC would speak to the Independent
Electoral Commission to make sure voting arrangements were streamlined in
poorer areas.
"We are concerned, because in the metro we've got
between 500 000 and 700 000 people who are not registered."
He said he believed the commission could improve venues,
lighting, electricity and queue arrangements for all election activities in
poorer areas.
- SAPA
