THE Northern Cape ANC is the latest province in the past few days to endorse Cyril Ramaphosa for a second term ahead of the party’s national elective conference scheduled for December.
This comes after a special provincial executive committee (PEC) meeting held in Kimberley at the weekend.
The Northern Cape joins Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and the Eastern Cape in pronouncing support for Ramaphosa.
ANC Gauteng also endorsed Paul Mashatile for Deputy President and national executive committee (NEC) member Nomvula Mokonyane for Deputy Secretary-General.
The ANC in the Western Cape, on the other hand, is yet to decide on its preferred possible leadership ahead of the party’s national elective conference in December.
KwaZulu-Natal, the biggest ANC province, has also not pronounced its preferred candidates, saying earlier this week that it was waiting for branches to hold meetings to discuss endorsing party leaders.
Earlier this week, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s branch in ward 32 eThekwini region endorsed her to challenge Ramaphosa for the position of ANC President.
The Northern Cape has also endorsed national chairperson Gwede Mantashe’s bid to retain their positions in the party’s top six.
ANC leaders vying for the position of Deputy President include Mashatile, current Deputy President David “DD” Mabuza, Eastern Cape provincial chairperson Oscar Mabuyane and NEC members Ronald Lamola, Senzo Mchunu and Mmamoloko Kubayi.
The Northern Cape PEC also urged branches in the province to consider NEC members Gwen Ramokgopa and Fikile Mbalula as candidates for the secretary-general position, Febe Potgieter-Gqubule, Vuyiswa Tulelo and Maropene Ramokgopa as deputy secretary-general, and Lamola and Limpopo chairperson Stan Mathabatha as treasurer.
The ANC spokesperson in Northern Cape, Thabo Mothibi, said the aim of the meeting was to reflect on the preparation for the forthcoming elective conference in December.
“Consequently, the PEC had to reflect on the ongoing discussion in the ANC and the country about the possible leadership line-up. So, the PEC resolved that, it will not endorse any particular slate but will release a basket of names to the ANC branches to choose from,” said Mothibi.
“The branches of the ANC must have an open and rigorous discussion during their Branch General Meetings (BGMs) on the suitability of the names. Such discussions will be guided by the urgent strategic task to renew and reposition the ANC.”
He said the Northern Cape has endorsed Ramaphosa for a second term because he has played a crucial role in the renewal and repositioning of the ANC as an agent for change.
“The PEC recommended Gwede Mantashe for the ANC chairperson position. However, branches are free to nominate any other names. During our 8th ANC provincial conference, we unanimously resolved to support the current president, Cyril Ramaphosa for a second term,” said Mothibi.
Meanwhile, provinces are also holding meetings to discuss leadership issues ahead of the elective conference in December.
Last week, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal met to discuss nominations.
KwaZulu-Natal is expected to meet Gauteng province sometime this week, while Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Western Cape are also expected to hold their troika by end of the week.
INSIDE POLITICS
