Lobbying for NEC in full swing and ‘cash is king’

AS ANC branches around the country continue to gather, lobbying votes for the NEC is in full swing and cash is king.

Money exchanges hands from R200 to R200 000 and for some at grassroots who have influence at a branch general meeting (BGM) where ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) members are to be nominated, a single cold beer at their local tavern will suffice.

The popularity stakes for an ANC NEC hopeful leading up to the conference is high and many members use different tactics including money to make it onto the ballot.

A source revealed this week that the main player in the value chain could be allocated R200 000 to lobby and at least secure a nomination to the NEC.

He said bribing branches for nomination was “highly driven by poverty”.

“There are people who will attend the BGM as long as you buy them beer, some people will nominate you if you give them R200.

“The disbursement of the money depends on the people in charge of lobbying.

“They are the ones who use their discretion on where and how to spend the money,” the source said.

Nominations open on Wednesday and some ANC leaders have already called upon “ground forces” to lobby branches.

Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams recently took to Facebook calling on lobbyists to put in the work at branches.

In her post, Ndabeni-Abrahams wrote that, “as you continue to identify us to go and lead in the NEC, you better make sure that it doesn’t end here on FB and Whatsapp groups but you also make sure you can convince branches ke (sic).

Continuing in Xhosa, Ndabeni-Abrahams wrote that some campaigns were dealt a blow by “praise singers who can’t even bring a single branch but scream loud on social media”.

The post drew more than 100 comments with one user saying he would ensure that Ndabeni was popular among branches if she “sends the tools” to which Ndabeni responded by saying “account number”.

Ndabeni-Abrahams this week said the comments were made in her capacity as an ANC member and not minister.

She said the exchange was meant as a joke.

“The focus of my message was in ensuring that people ensure that there are structures (in place) if they want to nominate people for leadership positions and of course whoever made that comment that I don’t even remember who it was was entertaining the message,” Ndabeni-Abrahams said.

Members are nominated by branches from across South Africa.

This means a member could be nominated by members who are not from their branch or even province.

A former NEC member who served at that level for at least 10 years said lobbying in the NEC had evolved and was no longer the same.

“I am absolutely sure that there are other methods of getting into the NEC, in my time it wasn’t like that,” the former NEC members said.

“I come from a different ANC but I am aware that a lot of money goes around in many provinces. One way of going about it is paying off branches, for the branches to quorate and make up 100 members to nominate you somebody pays for their membership,” the member said.

Another member serving on the NEC said while using money to lobby branches and campaign was nothing new those lobbying have since become smarter.

The ANC released its new rules and guidelines for the December conference in July and the document was adopted at the policy conference.

The new rules have declared using money to lobby and campaign a punishable offence.

In the 2017 Nasrec conference delegates linked to certain grouping were booked at different and more luxurious hotels.

Gifts were such as books also given to some groups.