As Gauteng ANC delegates gather for an all-important conference, conscious of the fact that it may be the last one with the party still the provincial government, they need to look beyond the two candidates to a broader collective capable of galvanising the electorate behind the ANC, or kiss the province goodbye, writes Mbhazima Shilowa.
Contestations for political positions are a norm for all democratic organisations. Handled properly, it can reinvigorate structures at all levels of the organisation to engage with the challenges facing the organisation, policies to respond to such challenges, and the leadership collective that is required for the organisation to emerge stronger, united and ready to implement the agreed-to program of action.
For an organisation that is in power or contesting for political office, such policy proposals and the leadership collective must be capable of improving the lives of the people; growing the economy by creating sustainable jobs in both public and private sectors; reducing poverty, inequality and unemployment; improving the quality of education, health, safety and security; and providing shelter and basic services such as water and sanitation.
