08/05/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, 08TH MAY 2026.
ANC SARAH BAARTMAN STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE SUCCESSFUL CONVENING OF THE FIRST REGIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Sarah Baartman Region successfully convened the first meeting of the newly elected 9th Regional Executive Committee (REC) on Thursday, 07 May 2026.
The meeting was initially scheduled to sit physically at the regional offices but, due to adverse weather conditions, heavy rains and flooding affecting various parts of the region resulting in the meeting being held virtually via Zoom. The ANC expresses concern over the flooding and its devastating impact on working class communities, particularly poor households affected by damaged infrastructure, flooding of homes, disrupted mobility and threats to livelihoods. The ANC calls on all relevant government authorities and disaster management structures to act with urgency in assisting affected communities and ensuring coordinated interventions to minimise further hardships.
The meeting was attended by all REC members, representatives of the ANC Leagues, and PEC deployees to the region, namely Cde Fanta, Cde Gade, Cde Gela and Cde Benjamin. Discussions in the meeting were frank, robust and constructive, reflecting the seriousness of the current political and organisational tasks facing the movement.
In opening the meeting, the Regional Chairperson, Cde Mabhuti Matyumza, reflected on the critical moment confronting the ANC and emphasised the urgent task of organisational renewal, rebuilding the confidence of communities, improving service delivery and strengthening branches as the backbone of the movement. The Chairperson called on all ANC members to be active participants within their communities and community structures, reaffirming that the ANC must remain rooted amongst the people.
The Chairperson further cautioned against factionalism and divisions within the movement and called for discipline, unity, proper management of organisational tensions, and a recommitment to the historic aims and objectives of the ANC, including adherence to the oath of membership.
The REC received a firm and politically incisive PEC input from the Convener of PEC Deployees to the Region, Cde Fanta, who congratulated the newly elected REC and reminded comrades that they carry the mammoth responsibility of leading, rebuilding and renewing the ANC in the Sarah Baartman Region.
Cde Fanta further congratulated the newly elected Regional Secretary and Regional Treasurer, noting the significance of women occupying key leadership positions and affirming the capabilities of women to lead at the highest level of the organisation.
She reflected on the significance of the current political year, which marks:
- 30 years of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,
- 70 years since the historic Women’s March,
- 72 years of the Women’s Charter, and
- 50 years since the 1976 student uprisings.
The PEC deployees emphasised that the organisational strength of the ANC in the region has weakened over time and that rebuilding must begin with functional, active and community-based branches. The REC was urged to reject arrogance, gatekeeping and organisational purging, and instead work towards restoring the confidence of the people in the ANC, guided by the traditions of selfless leadership embodied by President Nelson Mandela.
She further emphasised that the upcoming Local Government Elections demand activism, organisational discipline and direct community engagement from every member of the ANC.
ON ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS
The REC deliberated extensively on the composition of the Regional Working Committee (RWC) and unanimously elected the following comrades:
1. Cde Mabhuti Matyumza
2. Cde Thembani Mazana
3. Cde Neliswa Yantolo-Nkonyeni
4. Cde Jo-wayne Classen
5. Cde Charlene Booysen
6. Cde Yandiswa Vara
7. Cde Simphiwe Rune
8. Cde Thumeka Mqekelana
9. Cde Robbie Dennis
10. Cde Nomakhaya Duna
11. Cde Kate Hendricks
To strengthen the work of the organisation and advance organisational programmes, the following comrades were appointed as convenors of REC Subcommittees:
- Political Education: Cde Mabhuti Matyumza
- Organisational Building: Cde Neliswa Yantolo
- Finance & Fundraising: Cde Charlene Booysen
- Economic Transformation: Cde Jo-wayne Classen
- Monitoring & Evaluation: Cde Thembani Mazana
- State & Governance: Cde Simphiwe Rune
- Social Transformation: Cde Noluthando Santi
- Education: Cde Robbie Dennis
- Health: Cde Mvuzo Nkcosolwana
- Safety, Security & International Relations: Cde Phumzile Oliphant
- RET Coordinator: Cde Andile Hoyi
- Communications & Battle of Ideas: Cde Masonwabe Jasop
- Regional Chaplaincy: Bishop Bongani Mchuba
- Elections Manager: Cde Sizwe Mngwevu
The REC resolved that further deployments to subcommittees will be deferred to the next REC meeting, while the appointment of the Regional Spokesperson will be deferred to the RWC.
The following comrades were deployed to convene sub-regions and immediately commence work to strengthen branches and provide political direction within municipalities:
- Blue Crane Route: Cde Linda Yako
- Dr Beyers Naudé: Cde Robbie Dennis
- Makana: Cde Mvuzo Nkcosolwana
- Ndlambe: Cde Andile Hoyi
- Sundays River Valley: Cde Malibongwe Dayimani
- Kouga: Cde Nomakhaya Duna
- Kou-Kamma: Cde Yandiswa Vara
The meeting further confirmed that the REC Induction and Elections Workshop will take place from 16–17 May 2026.
In closing the meeting, the Regional Chairperson invoked the words of revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara, reminding comrades that:
“You cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain amount of madness.”
The ANC in Sarah Baartman remains committed to the tasks of renewal, unity, ethical leadership and building a strong mass-based movement rooted amongst the people.
ENDS//
ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS – SARAH BAARTMAN REGION
Regional Secretary : Cde Neliswa Yantolo-Nkonyeni
Cell: +27 (0) 82 657 1343
