Family crisis sees Ramaphosa skip crucial ANC gala dinner as party reviews its campaign - News24

Despite its troubled fiscal position, the ANC is upbeat about its chances in what is expected to be a tightly contested local government election.

The gala dinner, organised by the ANC’s Progressive Business Forum (PBF) and held at the KuGompo International Convention Centre on Saturday night, was attended by ANC chair Gwede Mantashe, Eastern Cape chairperson Oscar Mabuyane, his predecessor as provincial chairperson, Phumulo Masualle, Communications and Digital Technology Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele, provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi, among other notable figures.

Ramaphosa was a notable absentee from the event, where he was scheduled to be a keynote speaker.

ANC treasurer-general Gwen Ramakgopa said a family member of the president had been hospitalised, while Mantashe described it as a family crisis.

Food, wine and beer were aplenty as a medley of jazz songs played in the dimly lit room.

Ramakgopa described the PBF’s role as seeking to create “constructive dialogues on matters of national interest”.

She referred to a particular bank and said that there are industry titans who are not interested in accelerating the transformation agenda.

The ANC’s money woes are well-documented.

Mabuyane said the ANC’s electoral campaign was “extensive”, despite financial challenges.

“In economics, they talk about human capital. Getting close to the people is an important factor,” Mabuyane said.

“We’ve worked very hard on the ground. The provincial leadership has done its part; we may not have done enough elsewhere.”

He described the recent Constitutional Court judgment on councillor candidates as a “huge relief”.

The apex court ordered the IEC to reinstate 181 ANC councillor candidates excluded from November’s local elections for failing to click “submit as final” online. The court found the button was software, not a legal requirement. The relief applies only to the ANC; 2 093 candidates from 44 parties remain excluded.

Mantashe said the ANC must pat itself on the back for a campaign well done.

ANC leaders billed the gala dinner as marking the end of its campaign.

Mantashe said: “This campaign was quite formidable. I think we should make that assessment before we deal with the results because results can make you reach different conclusions.”

He hailed Ramaphosa as having “led from the front” of the campaign.

The ANC chairperson also heaped praise on the regions and on how activists reacted, even in instances when political opponents created “no-go areas” where they were physically barred from doing their political work.

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