APEMO expands its territorial influence and political footprint into Freestate Province
“To be or not to be” – to quote Prince Hamlet from the classic writing of Shakespeare’s play – was the dominant conflicting question in the minds of activists gathered in Mountain View Inn, Harrismith, pondering on whether the African People’s Movement is the political alternative to affialiate with; a remedy to their long lived agonizing distrust and dissatisfaction with ‘politicians and their parties that always promise but never deliver’.
The Chief Warrior, President VR Mlotshwa, in his remarks recognised how Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality, an ANC-MAP16 coalition-led government, has actively polarized the community members of Harrismith and QwaQwa through selective service delivery. It has not only failed to deliver on its material policy framework but even worse, desensitized and discouraged any attempt to initiate integration amongst the people. Therefore, resolving on any issues will need to be preceded by the political consciousness of APEMO warriors to bridge this socioeconomic devide. It will entail a group of active members who will have the full democratic – yet guided autonomy – to determine their own regional and provincial affairs without interference from the top national leadership.
The purpose and stance of APEMO was embedded into the ideological orientation of attendees, which caused a paradigm shift and answered the conflicting question of “to be or not to be” as there was a collective consensus and assertion that APEMO is the sanctuary they have been seeking for in terms of stimulating local opportunities in their area with the support from the movement.
The President than revealed that a national policy meeting comprising of commissions was to be convened with the main objective of deliberating and determining 10 policy key points that warriors in their collective wisdom will canvass as solutions to socioeconomic issues that continue to render our country a directionless, precarious state in all spheres of government.
From the meeting other warriors emerged and spoke about what led to their departure from other political parties in pursuit of something different and willingly offered their full allegiance and commitment to the African People’s Movement. During the Q&A, inter alia, political expediency was highlighted as the cancerous effect that cripples and demoralises active participation. The President in his responses mainly reiterated that the organisation will become what they make of it and how they channel their synergy towards initiating solution based activities and taking serious consideration of helping members of their community through the expansion of Operation Lula Isandla, an initiative of the movement.
The meeting, dominanted by young people, culminated with chants of jubilation as the new members received T-shirts signifying their utmost commitment to the movement and appreciation for a new ‘political sanctuary’. Consequently, there were undertakings from the youth to start immediately with organising sports tournament to kickstart activities in their areas with an aim of forging unity between Harrismith & Qwaqwa and providing an opportunity for young people to showcase their talent through sports, Arts & Culture.