ANC Gauteng Vows to “Reclaim Glory Days” and End Factionalism, Says Lesufi
By Thabo Mosia
The African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng has concluded its highly anticipated two-day Lekgotla, with Premier and ANC provincial co-convenor Panyaza Lesufi declaring a renewed commitment to rebuild the party, eliminate factionalism, and restore effective governance. Addressing delegates in Fourways on 4 May 2024, Lesufi described the gathering as “robust and open,” a space where comrades confronted hard truths and embraced the urgent task of rebuilding trust with the people.
Lesufi stressed the importance of unity, service delivery, and cutting ties with the internal divisions that have plagued the party in recent years. “We are frank to each other, comrades. We are very firm in our resolution to attend to the basics and do what government must do—render services to our people,” Lesufi said. “We are firm in our resolution that we have no time for factional politics.”
Reclaiming the Past, Securing the Future
Under the banner of reclaiming the “glory days” of the ANC, the Lekgotla’s theme resonated with the party’s historical legacy as a liberation movement and its need to adapt to modern governance challenges. Lesufi vowed to “take out the bad, remain with the good,” and ensure the ANC is ready for the “battles that lie ahead.”
The Lekgotla was not only introspective but also action-oriented. Key among its outcomes was the establishment of a roadmap to address what Lesufi called the “13 plus 1 problems” affecting communities across Gauteng. These issues, ranging from water supply and unemployment to gender-based violence and electricity shortages, form the cornerstone of the ANC’s immediate governance agenda in the province.
The “13 Plus 1” Crisis List
The ANC-led Gauteng government has prioritised the following core issues:
- Water shortages
- Cable theft
- Potholes
- Non-functional traffic lights
- Crime, lawlessness, and vandalism
- Mushrooming of informal settlements
- Electricity supply and load reduction
- Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF)
- Drug abuse
- Poor services at hospitals and clinics
- Lack of schools
- Failing infrastructure
- Unemployment
- Sinkholes (added to accommodate the crisis in Merafong and parts of Tshwane)
Lesufi emphasised that every commission within the Lekgotla had worked hard to develop “firm proposals” on each of these issues. A consolidated report will soon be finalised and shared with the public.
Water Crisis: Turning the Tide
Among the most significant achievements outlined was progress in resolving Gauteng’s water crisis. Lesufi proudly announced that through a new “weekly sitting war room” in collaboration with the national Ministry of Water, the number of affected areas without water had plummeted from 78% in December 2023 to just 3% by April 2024.
“This is a clear sign that we are now turning the tide against the shortage of water in our province,” said Lesufi. The water task team has been instrumental in fast-tracking the repair of pipelines, detecting infrastructure leaks, and improving reservoir maintenance.
Cracking Down on Cable Theft and Potholes
Cable theft, which has crippled power and communication networks, is being tackled head-on. According to Lesufi, the majority of theft syndicates have been identified and many perpetrators are now behind bars. “We have managed to push back the cable theft syndicates. They’ve been hunted, and in most cases, jailed.”
On infrastructure, Lesufi said all ANC-led municipalities, in partnership with local stakeholders, have set up dedicated units to repair potholes. This has been matched with a campaign to fix and protect non-functional traffic lights, which have contributed to rising traffic congestion and accidents.
Policing Strategy and Anti-Crime Partnerships
Crime prevention was another focal point of the Lekgotla. Lesufi unveiled a “single policing strategy” in Gauteng that integrates the resources of the South African Police Service (SAPS), municipal law enforcement, and the private sector. The new plan aims to boost visibility, enhance community policing forums, and speed up the deployment of technology-driven crime detection tools.
“We are ready to ensure that the people of Gauteng can see police visibility across their homes and streets,” Lesufi asserted.
Housing and Land Invasion Response
The ANC in Gauteng expressed concern over what Lesufi called the “mushrooming” of informal settlements—particularly under the leadership of the former Tshwane administration. Over 400 new settlements were established under the previous term.
To counter this trend, the province is establishing an “Anti-Land Invasion Unit,” which will prevent illegal occupations and reclaim state land. This is paired with plans to formalise existing informal settlements where feasible and extend basic services to improve living conditions.
Electricity Woes and Load Reduction
Persistent electricity outages remain a serious concern, especially in areas like Evaton. Lesufi announced that the province is working closely with the Ministry of Energy to develop a tailored load reduction and energy resilience strategy for the most affected zones.
The Gauteng government is also pushing for decentralised power generation solutions, including solar mini-grids and alternative energy partnerships, especially in municipalities where Eskom’s infrastructure has been weakened.
GBVF and Social Services
Lesufi delivered an emotional appeal for stronger action against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), citing the horrific case of three-year-old Mujalifa Safuli, who was found murdered in a stream in West Rand.
“This is amongst the many killings directed to our children and our women in this province. Today we’ve agreed to pull all our resources and energies to prevent these kinds of activities,” he said. The province will scale up victim support services, including safe houses, psychosocial care, and faster case processing in GBV-related crimes.
Drug Abuse, Clinics, and Education
Drug abuse, especially among the youth, remains a serious issue. The Lekgotla resolved to expand access to rehabilitation services, increase drug awareness campaigns in schools, and disrupt supply chains of illegal substances.
Health services were also discussed. Lesufi said provincial clinics and hospitals must become more responsive. Long queues, medicine stockouts, and staff shortages will be addressed through a new service delivery monitoring mechanism.
On education, the province aims to fast-track the building of new schools and improve infrastructure in overcrowded and under-resourced institutions. A skills development partnership with the private sector is also underway to combat youth unemployment.
Economic Revival and Job Creation
Lesufi acknowledged that unemployment continues to plague the province, especially among the youth. The ANC in Gauteng has committed to fast-tracking catalytic economic projects, such as the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone, township economy funding schemes, and a “Youth Employment Plan” aimed at training and absorbing thousands into public infrastructure and community service roles.
“Our commitment is not lip service. It’s backed by concrete programmes and budget allocations,” Lesufi said.
Reaffirming the Alliance
Lesufi also reaffirmed the province’s close working relationship with its alliance partners—COSATU and the South African Communist Party (SACP). He said the Lekgotla was attended by all alliance structures and resulted in agreement on a joint programme of action to be rolled out across municipalities.
“We are proud as a province that together with our alliance we are one. Their problems are our problems and we share the solutions that need to be implemented,” Lesufi added.
Political Renewal and Unity Above Faction
Perhaps the most politically charged theme of the gathering was the ANC’s internal renewal. Lesufi was unapologetic in calling for an end to factionalism and infighting, which he said has “paralysed our movement thus far.”
He declared: “We are very clear in our commitment that the ANC must be firm against tendencies that weaken our structures. We are reclaiming our glory. We are reclaiming our present.”
The provincial leadership has committed to running candidate vetting processes ahead of the upcoming 2026 local government elections to prevent the imposition of unpopular or corrupt councillors. Greater emphasis will also be placed on political education, recruitment of young leaders, and real-time monitoring of constituency work.
Community Safety and Social Cohesion
To complement the policing strategy, the ANC in Gauteng will invest in community development initiatives aimed at improving social cohesion. These include:
- The revival of street committees and neighbourhood watch forums
- Deployment of community safety ambassadors in crime hotspots
- Youth sport and recreation programmes
- Job opportunities linked to crime prevention roles
Closing Remarks and Commitment to Action
Lesufi closed the Lekgotla by thanking delegates, alliance partners, and government officials for their contributions. He called on all ANC members to return to their communities with renewed energy and purpose.
“As we leave this Lekgotla, let us be united in action. Let us return to our branches, our wards, our townships, and villages—not just with slogans, but with programmes. We are ready to serve,” he concluded.
The consolidated Lekgotla resolutions are expected to be made public in the coming week, with a clear timeline for implementation and monitoring.
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