Amathole all set to hold ANC regional conference

It is all systems go forthe ANCin the Amathole region as the party finally hosts its much-anticipated elective conference between Friday and Sunday. The regional conference, which will sit at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in KuGompo City, will see just more than 200 delegates converging to elect a new regional structure, replacing or giving a new mandate to the outgoing regional executive committee (REC) which was elected in 2023. This region’s fifth elective conference would see 218 voting delegates, from the region’s 109 branches, deciding on who would lead this region going into the local government elections later in 2026 and beyond, regional secretary Nombuyelezo Ncethezo confirmed on Thursday.

The conference will sit just a few days beforethe Eastern Cape ANC goes to its provincial elective conference, which is also scheduled for KuGompo City, at the same venue, between March 27 and 30. “We are more than ready to go to conference this weekend. All our preparations are in order, and we expect a peaceful and a united gathering,” Ncethezo said.

Registration for the conference will take place on Friday morning at the Calgary Conference Centre on the N6 on the outskirts of the city. What is certain is that the region’s current chair, Sheila Xego, is set for another term in office, as she will not be contested for the position Provincial ANC chair Oscar Mabuyane is expected to open the weekend conference on Friday afternoon. Ncethezo said voting for the new regional top-five positions was also expected to take place later on Friday.

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Voting for the additional seats in the new regional executive committee will take place between Saturday and Sunday morning. What is certain is that the region’s current chair, Sheila Xego, is set for another term in office, as she will not be contested for the position. Both warring party factions in the region are looking to her as their preferred regional chair candidate.

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