The African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape on Monday admitted to its weaknesses, saying divisions within the party had prevented it from winning the province.

“But, we are ready to serve and ready to govern,” said the party’s secretary in the province, Faiez Jacobs, during a media briefing on the organisation’s readiness ahead of the August 3 local government elections.

The ANC had last governed the Western Cape in 2009, following its so-called golden years with former premier Ebrahim Rasool, concluding its tenure with Lynne Brown. It last ruled the City of Cape Town in 2006.

Since then the party has been riddled with allegations of factionalism and its provincial executive committee (PEC) was once dissolved.

While not mentioning the dreaded F-word, Jacobs conceded that the provincial executive committee (PEC) has not been unified and communities had seen this, resulting in them losing faith in the party’s ability to govern.

“If the ANC is unified and the ANC can become a credible opposition to the [Democratic Alliance] then we can restore the faith,” said Jacobs.

He insisted the current PEC was united.

In addition to being a united PEC, there was a “gatvol factor” when it came to the DA, Jacobs said, which he believed provided fertile ground for an ANC takeover of the province.

He said the DA were given a chance but had failed to deliver, particularly to poor, black communities.

“The conditions are ripe. We are ready to be the servants of the people,” said Jacobs.

“We are ready as the ANC.”

Acting provincial chairperson Khaya Magaxa concurred, adding that the only reason the DA had won the province was because of the ANC’S weaknesses.

“They have confessed that they depend on our internal divisions,” said Magaxa.

He went on to say that “of course communities lose faith when we are divided”, adding that this was a new ANC ready to deliver.

On one of its more recent problems, Magaxa spoke on the issue of Marius Fransman who was earlier this year asked to step aside from his chairmanship of the party in the province, pending an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment.

While Magaxa acknowledged a City Press article published online on Monday, detailing the alleged recommendations of the ANC’s Integrity Commission on Fransman – most notably that he relinquish all politically-elected positions – he said until the PEC had received a formal report, they could not speak on the matter.

Asked how the allegations around Fransman had impacted on the ANC’S elections campaign, as well as Fransman’s own allegations of factionalism within the province, Magaxa commented: “Any of us leaving does not affect the electoral machine.”

The next stage of the ANC’s elections campaign in the province was “Siyanqoba”, which sees the party engage in door-to-door visits, community engagements, and the more lighthearted #ANCFriday.