UCDP GOES TO CONGRESS

The United Christian Democratic Party is on course to hold their first elective congress since 2001.

The party has not been holding elections internally because each time a congress had to be held the goal posts were moved but on 29 January 2011 the congress will be held at the Mmabatho Convention Centre.

The ideal of the congress is to put a fresh leadership in place. Such leadership will then ensure that provinces hold conferences to elect their leaders who in turn will make sure that regions are in place to look after the branches. The party has all along had no provincial structures. This makes it difficult for head office to run the party.

Offices to be contested for are:

• President,
• Deputy President
• Chairman and two deputies
• Secretary and two deputies and
• Treasurer

The current Deputy President, Kgomotso Ditshetelo, who has been acting as President since the suspension and subsequent expulsion from the party of Kgosi Lucas Mangope, will not stand for elections on grounds of ill health. Benjamin Masilo, the treasurer will also stand down because of personal and family commitments.

Regions are still refining their nominations and the last day for the submission of such nominations is Wednesday, 26 January 2011.

It is hoped that the elections will go unhindered to give the party verve to face the local government elections later in the year.

Statement issued by Sipho Mfundisi, National Chairman: UCDP, January 24 2011

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter