The African National Congress (ANC) Veterans' League noted that the party cannot invest its energy in coalition politics, as coalitions don’t work for the people.

The Veterans' League held its third National Conference in Ekurhuleni, where the new leadership was instated and resolutions for the next five years were passed.

Snuki Zikalala was re-elected as president, Mavuso Msimang was elected deputy president, Ilva MacKay-Langa was elected secretary general, Connie September was elected deputy secretary general and Fazel Randera was elected treasurer general.

In a media briefing on Monday, the ANC Veterans' League explained that the Conference called for the party to immediately review its participation in coalition arrangements, saying coalitions were costly for the ANC and not consistent with the Framework adopted by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

The Veterans' League added that the Conference reasserted the need for an outright victory for the ANC in the 2024 elections.

Also discussed were the problems of instability and dysfunctionality in hung councils and local government coalitions, which seriously impact service delivery.

“The Conference welcomed the Framework approved by the ANC NEC  and the nine principles contained within it. They, thus, expressed their disappointment that some of the coalitions in which the ANC is involved are not informed by the Framework adopted by the NEC of the ANC and this is discrediting the movement in the eyes of ordinary people,” the League stated.

It pointed out that ANC veterans from all walks of life, and from all parts of the country committed themselves to work tirelessly to build ANC structures and help with problems facing their respective communities and the country.

“Time and again delegates called on the ANC to be a disciplined and coherent organisation which is free from corruption, factionalism and political violence. [Veterans] committed themselves to be a resource for the organisation, especially in terms of cadre development and political education,” the League said.

It said several concrete and implementable proposals were made to renew the ANC. These include tightening membership criteria and strengthening the disciplinary structures and Integrity Commission.