Latest news with #Mbalula
India Gazette
30-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Supriya Sule-led all-party delegation wraps up South Africa visit, heads to Ethiopia
Johannesburg (South Africa), May 30 (ANI): After concluding their visit to South Africa, the all-party delegation led by NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule departed for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday. The Group-7 all-party delegation, led by Supriya Sule, concluded its diplomatic visit to South Africa with a series of meetings involving political leaders, think tanks, and the Indian diaspora at India House in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. Members of the delegation included Supriya Sule, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Vikramjeet Singh Sahney, Manish Tewari, Anurag Singh Thakur, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Anand Sharma, former Minister of Commerce & Industry, V Muraleedharan, former Minister of State for External Affairs, and Syed Akbaruddin, former Permanent Representative of India to the UN. The visit, part of India's broader diplomatic outreach following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and the subsequent Operation Sindoor, aimed to deepen bilateral ties and convey India's firm stance against cross-border terrorism. During their South Africa stopover, the delegation held important discussions, including a key meeting with Fikile Mbalula, Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC). Mbalula emphasized the strong political and social ties between South Africa and India and expressed solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism. Speaking in Johannesburg, Mbalula said, 'It is important that today we managed to meet with the multi-party delegation from India. It is important for us to get that important briefing because India is an important partner, first and foremost with the South African government, but also politically as the African National Congress has strong roots with Indian political parties, as well as the biggest population of Indians in our country... We are all advocating peace, but we are against terror and terrorism in all its manifestations... In this particular instance, we advocate for peace and justice and co-existence among nations... A multilateral approach is very important in terms of intervention... We have pledged our solidarity with India in terms of engagement in the fight against terrorism...' The delegation's visit forms part of India's broader diplomatic engagement to strengthen international partnerships and build support against terrorism. (ANI)
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
ANC urged to fast-track dispute resolution in Limpopo
Leadership battles delay the Peter Mokaba regional conference as ANC branches call for urgent dispute resolution. The ANC regional task team (RTT) in the Peter Mokaba region is pleading with the office of the party's secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, to enforce the national dispute resolution committee (NDRC) mechanism to fast track resolving disputes. This after disputes were lodged by branches during branch general meetings (BGMs), ahead of the regional elective conferences. The conferences are a build-up to the provincial elective conference, which will then culminate into the national elective conference in 2027. ANC in turmoil over unresolved disputes The conference cannot sit if the disputes are not completely resolved. That is why the conference at the Peter Mokaba region was postponed for the fourth time last weekend. The region is one of the most influential between ANC elective conferences. It has a total of 113 branches and more than a quarter of them lodged complaints with the party's provincial and national dispute resolution committees. ALSO READ: 'Third Term' slate shines at Limpopo ANC elective conference This led to Mbalula's office ordering the NDRC to work with speed for the conference to take place. In a letter to the ANC provincial secretary, Vhamusanda Madadzhe, Mbalula confirmed they were working with the NDRC to speed up the process and ensure the conferences go ahead. The Citizen understands out of 31 disputes, the NDRC is left with 10, which are yet to be finalised. 10 of 31 disputes finalised Last week, ANC Limpopo chair Stan Mathabatha told the Norman Mashabane regional conference that conferences should be about branches and not factional slates. Mathabatha urged a faction led by former regional secretary Goodman Mtileni to rally behind the winning faction, called the 'Third Term', led by Pule Shayi. Shayi won the conference on a clean sweep, winning all the top five positions with big margins. ALSO READ: Limpopo ANC conference rocked by membership manipulation claims ANC Limpopo spokesperson Jimmy Machaka said the party's constitution provides that branch members can lodge a dispute to the provincial dispute resolution committee within 48 hours after the BGM. He said it was an ANC tradition that those who have grievances during BGMs must lodge a dispute through party structures. 'It is constitutional to lodge complains through relevant structures of the ANC as provided by the constitution,' he said. Party's constitution 'But in the same breath, it is unconstitutional to take the grievances to a court of law because our structures are more capable of disposing any dispute than the courts.' While many in the ANC are waiting for Peter Mokaba region to conclude its business, the question on everyone's lips is: who will win? Will it be ANC bigwig John Mpe, who is vying for a third term, or it will be Limpopo premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba's crony, Mamedupi Teffo?' ALSO READ: ANC elective conference in Limpopo stalled by disputes Ramathuba is fighting for her group to win all the province's four regional conferences in order for her to be elected the party's provincial chair at the upcoming ANC Limpopo elective conference. She has already won Sekhukhune and Vembe regions, but has lost in the Norman Mashabane region. A win in Peter Mokaba region would ensure her route to the top provincial job. A win for Ramathuba in region would ensure route to top job But if Mpe wins the conference, a different political story would be told and a new chapter for the ANC would be opened. Mpe, who doubles up as Polokwane municipality mayor and the South African Local Government Association provincial chair, is believed by many to be the best contender against Ramathuba.
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Mbalula calls for unity at Memorial Lecture
VEREENIGING – ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula fired up the Vereeniging Civic Hall on May 13 as he delivered the highly anticipated Duma Nokwe Memorial Lecture. The event attracted party members from all walks of life, dressed in regalia to honour Nokwe's legacy. Nokwe was a struggle veteran who served as the ANC's secretary-general from 1958 to 1969. He died in exile in Zambia in 1978, during the height of apartheid. In September 2024, Nokwe's remains, along with those of 48 other freedom fighters, were returned from Zambia and Zimbabwe. Delivering his keynote address, Mbalula said the gathering was more than a lecture, it was a call for action. 'Though small in spirit, he [Nokwe] was a giant whose political perspective embraced all humanity. Although Nokwe lived a short life, he left behind a big mirror that will forever help those who heed to navigate their challenges with resilience and fortitude,' he said. Mbalula did not hold back, using the platform to deliver punches as he warned against corruption and internal party battles. 'Corruption, poor service delivery, arrogance, and social distance are perceptions that engulf our daily politics. It is very easy to be in opposition, but difficult to govern,' Mbalula added. 'Let us not make it easy for our opponents to destroy us by looking inwardly and slaughtering ourselves from within. Let us not celebrate divisions within our organisation,' he said as the hall clapped and screamed 'bua' speak. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Fikile Mbalula delivers Memorial Lecture in Sedibeng
VEREENIGING – ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula fired up the Vereeniging Civic Hall on May 13 as he delivered the highly anticipated Duma Nokwe Memorial Lecture. The event attracted party members from all walks of life, dressed in regalia to honour Nokwe's legacy. Nokwe was a struggle veteran who served as the ANC's secretary-general from 1958 to 1969. He died in exile in Zambia in 1978, during the height of apartheid. In September 2024, Nokwe's remains, along with those of 48 other freedom fighters, were returned from Zambia and Zimbabwe. Delivering his keynote address, Mbalula said the gathering was more than a lecture, it was a call for action. 'Though small, in spirit, he [Nokwe] was a giant whose political perspective embraced all humanity. Although Nokwe lived a short life, he left behind a big mirror that will forever help those who heed to navigate their challenges with resilience and fortitude,' he said. Mbalula did not hold back, using the platform to deliver punches as he warned against corruption and internal party battles. 'Corruption, poor service delivery, arrogance, and social distance are perceptions that engulf our daily politics. It is very easy to be in opposition, but difficult to govern,' he said. 'Let us not make it easy for our opponents to destroy us by looking inwardly and slaughtering ourselves from within. Let us not celebrate divisions within our organisation,' he said as the hall clapped and screamed 'bua' speak. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Mbalula: ANC must win elections outright to bypass DA resistance in GNU
Fikile Mbalula says the ANC will continue passing laws aimed at deepening transformation, whether the opposition likes it or not. Image: X/@FikileMbalula African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Fikile Mbalula says the only way the party can overcome opposition from the Democratic Alliance (DA) - a member of the Government of National Unity (GNU) - is to win the next elections with an outright majority. Speaking at the Duma Nokwe Memorial Lecture in Sedibeng on Tuesday, Mbalula said the ANC would not be deterred, even as the DA continues to challenge key government policies in court. 'Comrades, the misrepresentation of the Expropriation Act is evidence that the beneficiaries of apartheid will not sleep,' Mbalula said. 'Similarly, those who have taken us to court for advancing employment equity are working overtime to reverse the gains of our freedom.' The DA has challenged both the Expropriation Without Compensation Act and the Employment Equity Amendment Act in court and has a track record of legal opposition to ANC policies. In April, the party successfully contested the adoption of a fiscal framework in Parliament. Although the ANC had secured the budget with backing from both GNU allies and non-aligned parties such as ActionSA and Build One South Africa (BOSA), the DA and Freedom Front Plus opposed it. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Despite being the second-largest party in the GNU, the DA has failed politically to stop key legislation, including the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill and the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act Mbalula said the ANC must secure a decisive electoral mandate to prevent policy gridlock. 'It is clear to us, as the ANC, that the only way to overcome this strategic setback is to win the elections with an outright majority,' he said. 'However, comrades, we must not just win the elections to manage contradictions, but to ensure radical and rapid socio-economic transformation.' He argued that South Africans have already signalled their desire for change. 'Our people have said through the ballot that they want radical and accelerated change,' he said. 'As the ANC, we must listen to the masses and not justify the unjustifiable.' Acknowledging the party's failure to win more than 50% in the last election, Mbalula dismissed claims of voter migration. 'Our people simply decided to stay at home. They did not go to any other political party,' he said. 'If they had, we would have a completely new government in the republic.' He stressed that the ANC remains the country's largest party and will continue to push forward with its legislative agenda. 'That is why, comrades, with that 40%, we will deepen transformation,' he said. 'We will pass laws that deepen transformation—the BELA Act, the NHI, the Expropriation Act, Employment Equity, and more. Those who are in court to challenge these laws of transformation must gear up for a long battle, because we are not going to stop.' Mbalula also invoked the legacy of Duma Nokwe, ANC secretary-general from 1958 to 1969, to call for introspection and reform within the party. Nokwe died in 1978 at the age of 50. 'It is in this sense that we believe Comrade Duma Nokwe gave us an opportunity to reflect and correct ourselves,' Mbalula said. 'This self-correction, comrades, is being realised through the process of organisational renewal and rebuilding. We must admit our mistakes and correct them.' IOL Politics
