ANC 'stronger than ever'
2005-06-22 14:51
Johannesburg - The African National Congress will go to its national general council meeting (NGC) stronger than ever, ANC deputy general secretary Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele said on Wednesday.
Mahanyela was speaking to reporters at the party's Luthuli House in Johannesburg.
She was responding to questions whether recent events such as the sacking of former deputy president Jacob Zuma and events at the Mpumalanga June 16 celebrations were indications that there was division within the party.
"In Mpumalanga that was a little group from a particular area. That group does not represent the whole province," Mahanyela said.
She said the ANC had no anxiety that the disruptions that marked the Mpumalanga Youth Day celebrations would also occur in Pretoria where the NGC would be held.
Mahanyela said party members in all formations understood the rationale behind President Thabo Mbeki's decision to "release" Zuma from his responsibilities.
Asked whether Zuma would attend the council, ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonayama said he had not received any confirmation.
The NGC will take place at the University of Pretoria in Tshwane from June 29 to July 3 with the theme "A People's Contract to Advance the Vision of the Freedom Charter."
- SAPA