ANC's convener Jeff Radebe of the KZN Provincial Task Team says the party's poor performance in KwaZulu-Natal, where voter support plummeted from over 50% to just 17%, can be attributed to the arrogance of its previous leadership.

This was part of his address at the inaugural meeting of the newly appointed leadership at the African National Congress (ANC) provincial house on Wednesday, where a clear agenda was set to restore confidence in the party and address ongoing issues.

Radebe, along with Mike Mayabuthu, the appointed co-ordinator, emphasised their commitment to people-centered governance and pledged to restore the trust of the people of KZN.

"We are starting from ground zero," said Jeff Radebe.

"Seventeen percent [voter support] is a disaster, and it reflects the arrogance of the ANC. My colleagues and I come with a fresh perspective to correct all past mistakes and rebuild, brick by brick, root and branch, to ensure all the mistakes the ANC made previously are corrected timeously and we get back to where we are supposed to be."

Radebe stated that the focus would be on holding ANC members accountable, especially those deployed in government positions, and ensuring that the party serves the people of KZN, not just its leadership.

He also stressed their commitment to rooting out corruption in the province and its municipalities, regardless of who is involved.

"We have made it clear to all 66 of us that this leadership has no space for corruption," Radebe said.

''We are intolerant of corruption, regardless of who they are. We will never allow anyone in leadership in KZN to use their position for personal gain through corrupt means."

This strong stance against corruption is central to their efforts to regain public trust.

The leadership also acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, with Radebe describing the ANC's standing in KZN as facing an "existential threat".

"We have to be honest with the people of KZN that we face an existential threat, which requires all of us to take drastic measures to turn things around," he said.

He stressed that the collective leadership was committed to ensuring they bring their people back to the ANC.

A key part of their strategy moving forward is a focused rebuilding and renewal program, with the next three to six months being crucial.

Radebe made it clear that the leadership would begin preparing immediately for the 2026 local government elections, ensuring they reconnect with all sectors of society.

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"We are going to be preparing for the 2026 local government elections right away," he stated. The leadership’s focus would be on mobilising the party’s traditional base, including the white, coloured, and Indian communities, as well as strengthening alliances with partners like the SACP, Cosatu, and Sanco.

As part of the collective’s mandate, Radebe affirmed that they would be closely overseeing the performance of ANC cadres deployed in key provincial government and municipal positions to ensure effective service delivery. "We cannot deviate from this basic mandate," he said.

Mayabuthu echoed Radebe's sentiments about the importance of prioritizing the needs of the people. "Our program is people-centered and people-driven," Mayabuthu said, emphasising that the leadership would be committed to serving the people at every level.

He also outlined their efforts to assess and intervene where needed in municipalities, particularly those that are facing severe financial challenges, with many in KZN flagged for poor financial management.

The leadership is also addressing some of the most pressing concerns in the province, including the ongoing crisis with Ithala Bank, which has left many depositors unable to access their funds.

The ANC leadership is engaging with relevant authorities, including the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Reserve Bank, to find solutions for affected depositors.

"We are clear—our actions will restore faith in the ANC and bring us back into the hearts and minds of the people.''

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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