The newly elected leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) admits it has a colossal task on its hands in reclaiming back the Western Cape from the Democratic Alliance (DA) but that its new Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) has a plan of action. Addressing the public on the outcomes of the 8th ANC Provincial Conference on Monday, ANC provincial chairperson, Marius Fransman, re-elected for a second term, said the party and its national level counterparts have identified a need to reconnect with its constituency. Through establishing unity within the Western Cape ANC branches as well as a preparation plan in the run up to the 2016 local government elections, the party hopes to win back the support of the Cape-coloured community.

Newly elected PEC secretary-general, Faiez Jacobs says some of the discussions during the organisational meeting focused on issues of how the party can grow support in coloured and black areas and monitoring evaluation systems and activities of elected representatives as the party prepares for the elections. During the press briefing, a particular focus was put on the influence media has on these objectives. The PEC panel appealed for a fresh start with local media houses, whom it feels has painted a negative image of the ANC in the province.

“Our national working committee asked the conference to address four questions. 1) How will the ANC in the Western Cape end factionalism; 2) How will we deal with the divisions amongst ourselves; 3) How will we penetrate and win the coloured community; 4) How will we defend the based areas,” Jacobs explained.

PEC executive members touched on how the ambitions from the two day conference will be realized.

“The collective body is where the wisdom rests. Over the weekend we’ve done a review. There are four pillars; organisational renewal, reconnecting with communities and civil societies, ensuring an effective opposition at all levels and alternative governance. We have identified critical weaknesses within these pillars and will now focusing on improvement.”

In his appeal to the media, Fransman said the PEC is seeking a common ground.

“We would like to begin on a clean slate based on mutual respect and on truth that the ANC and media are not exclusive and do not have to be in competition with each other,” Fransman said.

However, Jacobs added that media must record and articulate messages clearly to the public adding that the PEC leadership must be better equipped to be able to tell that story.

“We want to tell our story, yes there are a lot of challenges within the organisations but we have emerged from this conference more unified, stronger, resilient and determined so it is important that we start on a clear slate. We need to engage robustly, we don’t have to always agree but at least there is a level of access and respect and when we tell our story, there is a fair and balance reflection of our story.” VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)