Pretoria - The Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo) in Limpopo has set its focus on toppling the ANC in the upcoming national elections expected to take place in 2024, saying its mission is “to create a damaging hole to the present ruling government”.
These assertions come after the party held its 11th provincial congress at the weekend electing its new leadership structure where former chairperson Pat Moyaha retained his position unopposed.
In attendance at the congress was national chairperson Simphiwe Hashe who was the keynote speaker and honorary president and former minister of technology, Dr Mosibudi Mangena.
Only seven other positions were contested with Jeriel Mathabatha clinching the deputy chairperson, Desmond Lekalakala was elected to the powerful secretary position while Lucky Leshika became treasurer.
The newly elected provincial organiser is Thabo Monyela while Delta Mphahlele was elected as political commissar.
Moloantoa Madingwane is local government and housing officer while Julia Matjeding becomes the new project co-ordinator.
Speaking to the Pretoria News after the congress, newly elected spokesperson and public director Phosakuwa Mashele, who was also elected unopposed, said the organisation planned to intensify its membership drive.
“The plan for the new Azapo leadership in Limpopo is to intensify the organisation of membership and mobilising the masses of the province and working on projects with the masses to improve the quality of their lives.
“We want to educate them to liberate themselves from the lie fed to them which makes them believe that they found liberation in 1994. We’re working with the aim of becoming an alternative government in Limpopo.”
However, Mashele conceded that the organisation was not yet ready for the 2024 elections but working to prepare for the much contested elections.
“This is one of the resolutions that we must be ready for in terms of structures by September 2023 and this will be worked concurrently with any other projects that concern the 2024 elections.”
The organisation in the province has been on a downward spiral, with most of its supporters losing faith in the organisation.
He added: “The glaring challenges facing Azapo in the province and other provinces is finance. To resolve this is to educate members and the community at large to acquire the skills to find funding in every aspect of our projects.
“We want to avoid accepting funding from the former oppressors and their appendages because we don’t want to give them power to call the tune as we know that he who pays the bills calls the shots.”
Some resolutions of the conference was to create elected positions such as that of the provincial organiser as a full time one.
“We want to grow our membership in the province. This position will concentrate on growing our membership and embark on projects that will make our people participate. We have to work towards establishing a branch in every ward,” Mashele said.
Pretoria News