No one will be throwing chairs

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 02: National Assembly Speaker; Baleka Mbete addresses the media regarding the motion of no confidence against Jacob Zuma request at the OR Tambo International Airport on April 02, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mbete said she is considering the request and will follow the Constitution and follow necessary steps. (Photo […]

No one will be throwing chairs at the ANC conference – Baleka Mbete

Baleka Mbete has had her say on how to keep the ANC unified coming into this month’s elective conference. Don’t forget she is a candidate herself…

No one will be throwing chairs

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 02: National Assembly Speaker; Baleka Mbete addresses the media regarding the motion of no confidence against Jacob Zuma request at the OR Tambo International Airport on April 02, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mbete said she is considering the request and will follow the Constitution and follow necessary steps. (Photo […]

Baleka Mbete is the parliamentary speaker, the ANC national chairperson and a presidential candidate. While she may be successful at the first two, she is almost guaranteed to never become President of the ANC or South Africa. Even though she may be trying her best, the ANC has still been sending her around the country to talk all things conference.

Speaking in Durban on Monday, Mbete went after those who said the ANC would come into the conference full of infighting.

“We will come out of the conference intact. There are many who have predictions. They are saying we will disintegrate, split or end up throwing chairs. They can talk, but we will come out of this stronger than ever.”

While the ANC is in a deep battle to rid itself of corruption, Mbete said the conference is all about delivering for the people of South Africa.

“We want to focus [on] the needs of the people, specifically the needs of the poor South African. Our priority will be to apply our minds and see how we can change their lives.”

She also highlighted that although the ANC has its problems now, the organisation is big enough to overcome them.

“The ANC is bigger than all of us put together. It has been here since before many of us were born and will be here long after.”

Mbete was also happy to touch on the “unity” needed for the ANC to survive. Including how her role will play out if she doesn’t win. She also called on members to support the organisation and not just the individual they want as president.

“People must know, if I don’t win I must be supportive of others who have won. You can be vocal about who you want, but you cannot put down others for their beliefs. That’s what leads to chairs flying across conference halls.”

“You must sing songs that are ANC songs, not for individuals. We are encouraging disciplined participation. The ANC has had a challenging time recently. We must be the best that we know we are and show people what we are.”

The ANC Elective Conference begins on the 16th of December.