Durban - ANC regions in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday welcomed the announcement by head of the ANC electoral committee, former president Kgalema Motlanthe, that incumbent president Cyril Ramaphosa and former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize will contest the position of party president at next month’s elective conference.
Motlanthe said current treasurer-general Paul Mashatile, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane have been named as candidates for the deputy position.
Former provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli has emerged as a contender for the crucial position of secretary-general, where he will contest against Phumulo Masualle and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula.
The candidates for national chairperson are Stanley Mathabatha, current chairperson Gwede Mantashe and David Masondo. Nomvula Mokonyane and Febe Potgieter have been nominated for deputy secretary-general, while Benjamin Chauke, Pule Mabe and Mzwandile Masina have been nominated for treasurer-general.
Once candidates accept the nomination, the electoral committee will check if they are affected by the rules that do not permit certain members to stand, such as those found guilty of or facing charges of serious crime or corruption, and issues of ethical or immoral conduct.
Motlanthe said their records indicated that 3 543 out of a total of 3 982 branches in good standing had held successful branch general meetings which produced the outcomes of the nominations for both branch delegates and NEC candidates.
“Nominees for the additional 200 nominees for the NEC will be announced as soon as the votes have been consolidated, audited and all nominees have been vetted and have confirmed their availability for election during the conference,” he said.
Nathi Xulu, the regional secretary of Musa Dladla, Mkhize’s home branch, said they were happy with the outcome and said they were confident more delegates would vote for Mkhize next month.
“Some nominated the current president out of fear, but Mkhize will have more numbers at the elective conference. December 16 will be a different scenario, especially when people go to the ballot and it is done in secret,” said Xulu.
He said the regions and province would continue to engage with Mashatile, despite the feeling that he had not reciprocated the support that the province had given him in his campaign to become deputy president.
“All those who supported him also supported Mkhize. There are three candidates vying for deputy president. He knows he is not favoured by Ramaphosa and he must bring his support to back Mkhize, Mathabatha and Mokonyane.”
Bheki Khanyile, spokesperson for the Josiah Gumede region, said they welcomed the nomination process.
“Recently, the ANC in KZN had issues with Mashatile and the Gauteng province but we believe the lobbying process will only really start now.
“The process of looking for a deputy president candidate will go on until the PEC here informs us how far they are with the process of lobbying other provinces,” said Khanyile.
He said the region was pleased that Mkhize had qualified to contest for the president position, saying his campaign had started later than that of the incumbent.
Former KZN provincial secretary Ntuli, whose name was discussed to be nominated as an additional NEC member after he was left out of the senior provincial leadership, has emerged as a strong contender for the secretary-general position. In recent weeks, Ntuli has maintained that he is contesting the position based on the support he is receiving from the branches.
He has also said he was prepared to serve under any leader who would emerge victorious.
One glaring anomaly is the lack of female representation in the nominees in the top six, but secretary of the committee Chief Livhuwani Matsila said the electoral rules are pro-women and youth and the list was not final as people could still be nominated from the floor when the conference starts on December 16.
If 25% of the delegates endorse someone who has been nominated from the floor, then the list will be updated, said Matsila.
“There are still 80 additional NEC members to be nominated and we believe we will be able to ensure 50% women representation when we look at the additional nominees,” he said.