Preparations for Mabuyane-Ngcukayitobi showdown in KuGompo City well on track

The stage is set for abruising battlebetween Eastern Cape ANC chairOscar Mabuyane, who seeks a third term, and his challenger, provincial secretaryLulama Ngcukayitobi, at the East London International Convention Centre in KuGompo City. With only two weeks before its highly contested provincial elective conference, the ANC in the Eastern Cape has confirmed its preparations for the big showdown are progressing well. The provincial executive committee (PEC) discussed the party’s state of readiness in a special meeting on Monday, where it received an update report on conference preparations.

The conference will be held between March 27-29 under the theme “2026: The Year of Decisive Action to Fix Local Government and Transform the Economy”. “The PSO [provincial secretary’s office] tabled a comprehensive update report on the state of readiness in so far as preparing branches through BGMs [branch general meetings], internal dispute resolution processes, logistics and the work of established sub-committees,” said the party’s provincial spokesperson Yanga Zicina. “The PEC expressed its satisfaction with the state of readiness for the provincial conference and is confident that it will deliver the conference as planned.” Amathole and Sarah Baartman are also gearing up for their elective regional conference.

The provincial leadership has given Amathole the green light to convene its conference between March 20-22 in KuGompo City, saying it is satisfied with the region’s state of readiness. “With regards to the Sarah Baartman region, the PEC was informed that there was an outstanding dispute,” Zicina said. “The PEC advised the region to focus on the by-election in Dr Beyers Naude and called on all PEC members and all structures to avail themselves to ensure a landslide victory in the upcoming by-elections in Sarah Baartman, Alfred Nzo, Dr WB Rubusana and Chris Hani regions. “Based on the request from the region, the PEC resolved that the Sarah Baartman regional conference be held between March 30-31, subject to all disputes being resolved.”