By Thabo Monyela
NKOWA NKOWA- The African National Congress (ANC)’s John Dube Branch (ward 19) in Nkowa-nkowa under Greater Tzaneen Municipality, has elected the Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale as an additional member after 8 years of political governance drought in the ranks of ANC. Mathale is a seasoned leader in both government and ANC, having served previously as the Provincial Chairperson, Premier of Limpopo, member of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC), Deputy Minister of Small Business Development.
It is not for the first Mathale to take an unpopular political decision to serve in the lower structure of the organisation while occupying an executive position in the government. In 2002, the former premier of Limpopo was elected as a member of the executive committee John Dube branch while serving as a member of Limpopo Legislature as the chairperson of the housing portfolio.
Mathale’s unanimous nomination to serve in the basic units of the organisation raised several questions amongst members of his organisation, however, he was too quick to lambast them. “People who say I should not be part of the structure do not understand the revolutionary mandate of the ANC, because as long as I do not belong to any structure above the branch, it is my constitutional right to serve the organisation when am called upon” Mathale exclusively informed Tzaneen Voice.
He committed that he will do the best of his ability to serve the community together with his co-leadership
He further informed the publication that his unanimous nomination is a way of history absolving him from any wrongdoings during his tenure in the Limpopo Government when his administration was disbanded for misinformed reasons.
The Deputy Minister of Police’s availability to serve at the branch level was warmly welcomed by Cossas National Spokesperson and a member of John Dube branch Douglass Ngobeni.
“I am very happy and confident with the fact that senior leaders of the ANC are putting pride and government responsibilities aside when the ANC wants them to serve at the lower structures”. Ngobeni said.
ON REGIONAL CONFERENCE
Cassel Mathale exclusively informed the publication that Jthe ohn Dube branch will be supporting Pule Shai as the chairperson and Goodman Mtileni as the Secretary while Gerson Molapisane is their preferred candidate for the deputy chairperson.
