Behind-the-scenes lobbying for ANC’s first female President, Deputy President intensifies

INSIDE POLITICS TEAM|

WITH only just three months before the ANC’s elective conference, there is a strong campaign on the ground for a first female president and deputy president to emerge as leaders of the governing party.

The ANC’s internal leadership contest in December is expected to gain momentum this week when the party officially opens nominations on September 7.

A least four senior women are expected to contest for the positions of ANC President and Deputy President.

The party’s national executive committee (NEC) member Nomvula Mokonyane made a clarion call last week for women in the ANC to nominate and vote for each other at the national conference and lobby for an all-woman Top Six.

The new conference rules compel delegates to elect at least two women to the top six.

The rules, which were endorsed by the NEC in July, are aimed at enforcing gender parity [50% women